Hundreds of people lined the streets of Downtown Sylva on Friday night as the 125th annual Homecoming 2014 Main Street Parade got underway.
Chancellor David Belcher led the procession, followed by the WCU cheerleading squad. The attendees of the parade were treated to music, dancing, singing, and WCU chants.
“I came today because I support the college and I love the marching band,” said Jamie Craft of Sylva. “Yeah, I guess a parade really shows students how much their community cares for them.”
Chancellor David O. Belcher leads the WCU Homecoming 2014 Main Street Parade.
Photo by Michael Williams
This event is traditionally the highlight of the WCU’s homecoming week. The parade featured many floats and displays. Big campus organizations such as Last Minute Productions, Base Camp and the WCU football team had their floats near the front. Fraternities and Sororities were in the middle. Bringing up the rear of the procession was the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.
“We haven’t had much practice for the actual parade, but our regular marching band training will suffice,” Henry Leavitt of the PoTM Marching Band commented. “This parade will be great practice for Macy’s.”
The band will be leading the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November.
WCU Homecoming 2014 Main Street Parade. The saxophonists of the Pride of the Mountains marching band.
Photo by Michael Williams
Local businesses were just as excited about the parade as the members of the community.
“We really hope that this will help out not only us, but all of the businesses on the street,” said Pat, a retired 27 year employee of WCU who now works at Papou’s Wine Shop.
A couple of local politicians got some face time during the parade. Joe Sam Queen of the NC House of Representatives had a place in the line-up.
This parade brought many people to Downtown Sylva, an area that is of great importance for WCU students and staff. The closed streets and security measures taken allowed for a smoothly executed event so that fun could be had by all who attended.
An album of the parade can be found on Flickr.
