'Paint the Town Orange'

"This year, we are really trying to get the community involved in homecoming," said Alumni Association director Kevin Hayes. "This is something that's not just for the university, it's also for the community."

The theme for this year's homecoming activities is "Paint the Town Orange."

Among the activities organizers are hoping will be crowd-pleasers is the annual homecoming parade, which is scheduled for Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.

This year will mark the first time in several years that the parade will make its way through town on the day of homecoming, rather than during the week before the game.

"We really see this as a great opportunity for Huntsville residents, the Sam Houston State community and our alums to come together and celebrate homecoming," Hayes said. "This allows people who haven't been able to attend the mid-week parades to get out on a Saturday and support the Bearkats."

Hayes said the university is encouraging members of the community to line up as part of the parade, not just along the parade route.

Groups already slated to participate in the parade include student clubs and organizations, community groups, alumni groups and university officials, including university president James Gaertner.

As part of the parade, floats should use the theme in a spirited way.

Prizes will be awarded in three divisions: SHSU registered student organization or department floats, Huntsville community organization floats, and motorized nonfloat entries.

Floats are trailers decorated where nothing is visible except the hitch and the tires. Motorized nonfloats are any vehicle or decorated trailer that doesn't meet the previous requirements.

Cash prizes of $200, $100 and $50 will be given to the first-, second- and third-place entries in the three divisions in three categories. The categories are creativity, appearance and use of theme.

Traveling trophies will be awarded in the following categories: best all-around entry, most creative entry, best use of theme and president's choice.

Winners of the contest will be announced at the tailgate party prior to the game. The party will be held in the Bowers Stadium parking lot from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Floats do not have to be entered in the contest to participate in the parade.

To participate in the parade, community groups should contact the Department of Student Activities at (936) 294-2861 or the office of alumni relations at (936) 294-1841.

Entry forms should be returned to the Department of Student Activities by Oct. 23 by 5 p.m. The office is located in Lowman Student Center suite 328.

As part of the tailgate party, First National Bank of Huntsville will sponsor a concert by Davin James, who will perform at noon in the Bowers Stadium parking lot.

As always, the alumni association will also have food, fun and drinks available. A moon walk will be set up for the kids, Hayes said.

The ROTC also will have a rock wall and paintball shooting range on site during the festivities.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Oct. 12, 2002
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