Students have been preparing their floats for the Homecoming Parade for weeks. Although some of the floats come from local organizations, most are made by the members of IUP's fraternities and sororities.
Every year, the groups decide on a theme and then pick who they want in their float-building group.
The groups rent trailers, which include a driver, and get very creative with their designs. Depending on the design of the float, the participants may ride along.
This year's float theme is classic cartoons. The floats are divided into categories such as "Peanuts," "GI Joe," "Scooby Doo," "Flintstones," "Smurfs," and "Looney Tunes." The construction of the floats began at Mack Park.
Although a ton of hard work and creativity go into the floats, they are usually destroyed at the end of the competition. Because of the amount of money at stake, there has been some stiff competition between the "Peanuts" and "Smurfs" groups.
During the parade, four judges will critique the floats. The judges this year include Michael Hood, the dean of the College of Fine Arts; Clair Hogan, Indiana Borough Council member; Mike Dolinger, an IUP alumnus; and Megan McCarthy, an IUP student.
The first place winner will be awarded $1,000, which will be donated by the IUP Alumni Association; second place will win $900, donated by the Indiana Mall; the third-place reward is $800, donated by the Co-op Store; fourth place wins $700, donated by the Student Government Association and fifth place wins $600, donated by the Foundation for IUP.
The trophies and awards will be presented Saturday at The Oak Grove Festival immediately following the parade.
"A lot of hard work goes into the floats," said Sam Mucken, the Homecoming parade coordinator.
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