Biting winds, dark skies and stinging rain didn't dampen the spirits of hundreds of MSU students, alumni and residents as they lined the streets of East Lansing on Friday night to watch MSU's Homecoming Parade.

The parade was one of several Homecoming activities last week for the MSU community.

Sharon Radtke, a Homecoming committee member, said more than a year went into planning for the event, and canceling the parade simply because of bad weather wasn't an option because participants spent so much time on their floats.

More than 100 volunteers directed participants and floats from 115 student organizations in a procession from the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, to Bogue Street.

"The parade went smoother than past years," Radtke said. "The set-up part was the toughest because of rain, but the organization this year was great."

Radkte said she noticed huge community support for the event.

"I am so happy with the students this year because they were all such troopers," she said. "The weather was wet and cold and they all came out."

The parade was funded by sponsors and participants who provided their own floats.

An organization that provides retirement counseling for MSU employees sponsored a firework show that was canceled because of strong winds.

University Activities Board Manager Tami Kuhn said the organization raised a majority of its Homecoming budget on its own, and the portion of the budget funded by the university was less than last year's budget because of current statewide university budget problems.

"The fact that the university had some of its state funding cut affects everybody," Kuhn said.

Kuhn said the University Activities Board added money to its budget from multiple event partnerships with the Residence Halls Association. Together, both organizations contributed $10,000 for Homecoming week activities.

Journalism junior Lindsay Wielgolewski said MSU students were school-spirited as they watched the parade.

"MSU fans are among the most dedicated in collegiate sports, and watching the parade shows just how proud we are of this university," she said.

Rachel Lyzenga, a family and community services sophomore, said she wasn't excited to battle the weather elements as she volunteered for the University Activities Board to block traffic.

"It's raining and cold, and I swear I just saw snowflakes," Lyzenga said as she struggled to fix her umbrella. "People here who are looking forward to the parade must be really dedicated because it's way too cold."

David Zaks, one of nine senior students on MSU's Homecoming court, rode in the procession and said there was great community support for the event.

"The people who cared about the parade were there," Zaks said.