Despite the chilly morning air, SMSU students and the community of Marshall lined the streets of downtown Marshall on Oct. 11 at 11:00am for the Homecoming Parade.

Fifteen minutes before the parade started, joyous, upbeat music played in the streets to get the spectators in the mood. Young children impatiently waited with empty Wal-Mart bags and ice cream pails for the candy they knew was sure to be coming.

Adults and children alike jumped to their feet to sing the national anthem as the local police started at the front of the parade route followed by local veterans carrying the Minnesota and American flag. SMSU sophomore Emilie Baartman and junior Matt Callahan hosted the parade.

Local businesses, campus clubs and sports teams, SMSU President Connie Gores (below), and even the mayor of Marshall marched

through the downtown area.

Also in attendance were the Homecoming King Craig Fischer and Queen Meghan Johnson (above), who were coronated on Oct. 9.  Fischer is a senior Communication Studies: Broadcasting and Digital Media and Public Relations double major, and Johnson is a junior Exercise Science major.

The floats passing by distributed some calssic parade-goodies to those in attendance: candy, coupons, political party stickers, mini bags of cotton candy, bottles of water, t-shirts, and cups were thrown to the spectators.

The parade is something to attend during next year’s Homecoming. If not to support the community of Marshall and the SMSU college, then definitely for the little things that are passed out.

If you were unable to attend the parade on saturday morning, hopefully you saw it rebroadcasted at 9pm on Oct. 14 and 16 on the on campus channel 25.8, and the off campus channel 180.