Idaho State University Homecoming Parade set Oct. 1; entry deadline is Sept. 23

The Idaho State University Homecoming 2011 Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, will start at the corner of South First Avenue and Center Street, just east of the Center Street Underpass.

From the starting point, the parade will proceed up Center Street to South 15^th Avenue, where entries will turn right and continue to the parade's finish at the Holt Arena parking lot.

Parade entries are due by noon Friday, Sept. 23. After this date a $25 late fee applies. No entries will be accepted after noon Friday, Sept. 30.

The parade's theme is "Bengal Forever Orange" and will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. The parade lineup begins at 8 a.m.

The parade staging area will be along First Avenue from Center Street south to Humbolt Street. The parade check-in/entry point for the general public is at First Avenue and Humbolt Street. For entries that have horses, there will be a staging and parking area on Sutter Street.

Parade organizers are requesting that parade participants take steps to avoid creating traffic congestion at the parade’s staging area. Only parade entries may enter the parade line-up at the Humbolt check-in/entrance point. Floats and entries need to be fully constructed before coming onto First Avenue.

All other traffic, such as vehicles dropping off parade participants, will not be allowed on First Avenue because this creates great safety concerns for pedestrians moving about the congested staging area.

Special slots have been reserved for bands, cheerleaders, drill teams, and dance groups. Parade officials will space these groups so that spectators will be able to hear and see them independently. There is no room to reserve space for multiple groups to follow bands. If a group is planning to follow a band, they must arrive with the band to ensure a space.

Groups will be required to stage at a different area away from First Avenue, and then walk to the parade starting area. The ISU Pond Student Union parking lot located at the end of Humbolt and Dillon Streets, and the ISU parking lot on Fourth Avenue between Terry and Putnam Streets, are both good staging and parking areas for parade participants. There may also be parking available on the side streets east of Second Avenue.

There are no parade entry fees for University-registered student organizations or other educational entities such as University departments or community public schools. The fee for non-profit agencies is $32. Commercial entry fees for businesses, political candidates and community groups are $65 per unit. Examples of a unit are a motorized vehicle with or without attached trailer, walking group or marching group. Applicants must specify what type of unit they are entering.

For the safety of parade attendees, throwing items such as candy, etc., from the float or vehicle will not be permitted. You may walk along the sidewalk and hand out candy. Entries identified as throwing items risk future parade participation. Other safety guidelines are part of the parade entry packet.

For more information, contact parade chair Heidi Oliver at 282-3513 or olivheid@isu.edu.

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