Parade Rules
Rules for floats, displays, banners, or entertainment entries:
  1. There will be a MANDATORY information meeting that representatives of organizations must attend if they wish to participate in the parade. This meeting will be held to discuss staging of floats and the rules and regulations for participation. Organizations that are not represented at this meeting will not be allowed to participate in the parade. The mandatory meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2008, at 5 p.m at the MSU Union Building, Gold Room (second floor). No Exceptions!
  2. All parade entries must be related to the MSU Homecoming parade theme. The theme for this year is "Go for the Green."
  3. Floats must be pulled by horse or motor vehicle.
  4. Float Dimensions: no larger than 20 feet wide x 40 ft. long for floats
  5. Banner Dimensions: no larger than 20 ft. long for all other groups/units x 13 feet high
  6. Signs should be placed on both sides of each unit to denote the name of the group.
  7. Parade units must post their unit number on the front passenger right side of their vehicle or float.
  8. All parade units should maintain an equal distance during the parade route. Proper spacing of all units is important for the consistency of the parade. Parade Marshals will monitor the distance and pace of the parade units.
  9. Parade entries are not allowed to stop at the judging stand for more than 10 seconds to allow for even flow of the parade.
  10. Corporate sponsorship may not include alcohol/tobacco products.
  11. Parade units must select ONE person to be their Parade Team Leader. This person will be the contact person for your parade unit during the parade. Their primary job is to make sure that your unit does not travel too quickly or too slowly during the parade. They also must make sure that no candy is being thrown into the crowd by your group.
  12. Parade entries must be submitted online at www.msualum.com or www.homecoming.msu.edu by the deadline date of September 19, 2008, 5 p.m. Click here to submit your entry online.
  13. This year we encourage parade entries to hand out items such as candy, toys or trinkets. Items must be handed out, not thrown! If thrown, parade entries will be asked to leave the parade. Items other than candy must be approved by the MSUAA prior to the parade. Please bring items to the mandatory meeting, Sunday, September 21, 2008 for approval.

  14. Limitations on participation in the Homecoming Parade:

  1. To insure safety, items (candy, toys, etc.) must not be distributed from cars and floats to parade spectators. Items MUST be passed out curbside by walkers accompanying the parade entry. If you throw objects from your vehicle, you will be asked to leave the parade route. Items handed out other than candy must be approved by the MSUAA prior to the parade. Please bring items to the mandatory meeting Sunday, September 21, 2008 for approval.
  2. The Homecoming Parade Committee reserves the right to remove any group or individual (s) from the parade.
  3. Parade organizers have the right to pull from the parade any stalled vehicles or groups that cannot keep up with the pace of the parade.
  4. Parade organizers have the right to have groups or individuals removed from the Homecoming Parade for exhibiting bad taste and drunken behavior and for using profanity and objectionable language.
  5. Equine and other animal units must provide their own accompanying clean up personnel with shovels/rakes. Failure to comply will result in removal from the parade.
Questions about the Homecoming Parade should be directed to Regina Cross, MSU Alumni Association at (517) 353-3069 or crossreg@msu.edu. Click here to submit your entry online.