<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0MO6p7_0vmfH2yd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0MO6p7_0vmfH2yd00" width="1765" height="1174" ><figcaption>The Grad Court waves at the 2024 Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 on Shortlidge Road in University Park, Pa. Sienna Pinney</figcaption></figure>Penn State Homecoming hosted its annual Homecoming Parade, a tradition since 1912, on Friday.Students, alumni and community members gathered to celebrate and prepare for the ranked Homecoming football matchup between Penn State and Illinois on Saturday.As the parade began at the Intramural Building and trekked down Bigler and Pollock Road, onlookers lined the sidewalks — sitting on blankets and camping chairs and holding umbrellas in anticipation for the floats and the Nittany Lion to pass in the rain.The parade theme for 2024 was “In Every Roar, Tradition Soars.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2pzxec_0vmfH2yd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2pzxec_0vmfH2yd00" width="1765" height="1174" ><figcaption>A mini Nittany Lion mascot high-fives people at the 2024 Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 on Shortlidge Road in University Park, Pa. Sienna Pinney</figcaption></figure>Along with floats, a variety of clubs and organizations walked the parade.Tessa Gleason, a dancer in Penn State’s Irish dance team Rince Na Leon, said aside from the cold and rainy weather, she was excited to dance and show off what the team has learned in practice.“We had practice this week where we went over some of the dances we’re going to do in the parade, and how to act and wave, I'm excited,” Gleason, a second-year studying criminology, said.Lauren Cozad, Penn State assistant teaching professor and coordinator of teacher education, said the parade is one of her favorite ways to celebrate her Penn State pride.“When I went to Penn State the floats were my favorite part, and then now, I think just getting to enjoy it with my family — the kids love it,” Cozad, a 2012 alumna, said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Bs8el_0vmfH2yd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Bs8el_0vmfH2yd00" width="1765" height="1174" ><figcaption>The UHS float waves and throws candy at the 2024 Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 on Shortlidge Road in University Park, Pa. Sienna Pinney</figcaption></figure>Each year, sororities and fraternities partner up to make themed floats for the parade.Christine Wilkinson said making the float for her sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon, was very time consuming, so walking in the parade and seeing so many people was so rewarding.“Making the float (was) really fun because I get to spend so much time with my sisters and grow closer together,” Wilkinson, a second-year studying education, said. “We spend multiple hours pomping and putting together a good float for the parade.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3XJSoj_0vmfH2yd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3XJSoj_0vmfH2yd00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>A Blue Band trumpet player yells into the camera during the Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 26, 2024 in State College, Pa. Kate Hildebrand</figcaption></figure>Michele Bloser said every year she looks forward to The Blue Band closing out the parade.“My favorite part has always been The Blue Band because they’re very energetic, fun, they bring it, work together, and continue the energy on at the end of the parade,” Bloser, a Penn State alumna, said.Liliana Dias said she also enjoys the upbeat liveliness The Blue Band provides at the end of the parade.“My favorite part is The Blue Band because I was in the marching band for five years, and I just love instruments, they are just very fun,” Dias, a second-year studying kinesiology, said.MORE NEWS COVERAGE</div></body>

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Penn State Homecoming presents 'In Every Roar, Tradition Soars' parade

Penn State Homecoming hosted its annual Homecoming Parade, a tradition since 1912, on Friday. Students, alumni and community members gathered to celebrate and prepare for the ranked Homecoming football matchup between Penn State and Illinois on Saturday. As the parade began at the Intramural Building and trekked down Bigler and...