Grand Marshal Geoff Johns waves at the crowd Oct. 11, 2013 on Grand River Avenue. The warm weather created great conditions for thousand to enjoy the parade. Khoa Nguyen/The State News
Thousands gathered on the streets of East Lansing and campus to celebrate MSU’s Homecoming parade on Friday.
Many university departments and campus organizations built floats or marched in the parade. Some participants included several sororities and fraternities from the greek community, Spartans Fighting Cancer and the MSU Surplus Store.
MSU athletic teams and coaching staff rode in on golf carts, tractor trailers, classic cars and even fire engines. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon rode in on a convertible and waved to onlookers.
In keeping with this year’s superhero theme, the Red Cedar Super Teachers marched with young local Spartans dressed up in superhero costumes. Both bystanders and participants alike led the crowd in back-and-forth cheers of “Go Green” and “Go White.”
The MSU Marching Band and Alumni Band performed the MSU fight song throughout the afternoon, and several local high school marching bands also participated.
The parade began at the intersection of Abbot Road and Burcham Drive, with participants making their way down Grand River Avenue and coming into campus from Collingwood Drive onto Farm Lane. The parade ended on the corner of Farm and Shaw Lanes.
MSU band member Harrison Halley said this was his first year marching in the homecoming parade.
“Being in a Big Ten band, it’s especially important to support your school and show school spirit,” Halley said. “And when we (the band) get to do something extra like this, in addition to playing at games, it’s always a lot of fun and people really respond to it.”
Animal science senior Victoria Spreyer marched with the Women’s Initiative for Leadership Development, or WILD, to promote her organization’s conference in November.
“It’s my fourth time marching in the parade,” Spreyer said. “It’s always a good time and it gives student groups on campus the chance to spread the word about what they care about.”
Some students brought chairs and staked out spots to watch the parade, and others, such as biochemistry sophomore Meranda Fairchild, showed up spur of the moment to enjoy the festivities.
“We were actually feeding the ducks along the Red Cedar (River) when we heard the band,” said Fairchild. “I’m glad we decided to check it out.” Fairchild came to the parade with friend and social work sophomore Kellie Sehl.
Sehl said she most enjoyed seeing the local kids and the sports teams.
“Seeing the little kids dressed up as superheroes was adorable,” Sehl said. “And it’s pretty cool any time you get a wave from Tom Izzo.”
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