Homecoming Parade 2012 shows off CU spirit

It was a clear and chilly morning, and The Hill had never been more alive at 9 a.m. on a Saturday. Students, alumni and Boulderites alike lined the streets with anticipations for the CU Homecoming Parade.

Moving from Pearl Street to a more CU-centric location, this year’s parade theme was “Going for Gold.” The floats filled with greeks, resident hall participants and student and political groups were energetic, cheering through the streets, attempting to wake up the tired students looking on.

First time parade viewer, junior geography major Melanie Ferraro enjoyed the parade.

“There was lots of energy,” Ferraro said. “I was impressed.”

For alumna Karry Hanneman, class of ’98, Saturday was her seventh time attending the festivities.

“We’re die-hard CU fans,” Hanneman said. “I like that it’s in the morning this year, it makes it more of a game day activity. And there’s usually a really fun alumnus as Grand Marshall.”

This year that honor went to CU student athletes and steeplechase Olympians Emma Coburn and Shalaya Kipp, who lead the parade on the back of an open-top car, and were also responsible for inspiring this year’s theme. In keeping with this motif, many participants dressed up in red, white and blue and waved American flags.

The increased school spirit can be credited to the change in location, allowing for motorized vehicles, which were banned last year, and an increase in student group participation up from 19 to 23 groups.

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Volunteer from Boulder Road Runner and first time attendee Bill Buffmun noted that the pirate ship float was his favorite. Other popular floats were the dragon and Boulder Freeride, who had students riding skateboards while holding onto their float.

After the parade viewers and participants alike gathered at Farrand Field for donuts and coffee, and waited in anticipation for the noon game against Stanford.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kelly Katz at Kelly.katz@colorado.edu.