DESPITE RAIN, THE BAND PLAYED ON

Mother Nature did her best to cooperate with the 1999 Southeast Missouri State University's Homecoming parade theme, Rolling on the River.

A light, but steady, rain fell as parade participants made their way from Capaha Park to Main Street. The only rainbow to be seen was the colorful array of umbrellas held by parade watchers and participants as everyone tried to keep dry.

Parades seem to boost everyone's spirits and young and old alike enjoyed the somewhat shortened version of the 1999 homecoming parade.

"We were here one year when it just poured," said Worley. This year, just as then, buildings with awnings were considered prime viewing locations.

Jerry Worley and Jane Brennekke Womack, both Southeast graduates were busy picking up candy and catching flying discs thrown by Ameritech as the parade went by. The in-laws braved the rainy weather for the grandkids.

Ethan Seyer, four, of Oak Ridge, his mother Kristi and two-year-old sister Chelsea sat huddled under grandma's umbrella to enjoy the parade.

"I came today mainly for them (the children)," said Kristi Seyer, a Southeast Missouri State University graduate.

The weather didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the parade participants.

Parade marshal Harry Williams, dressed as Mark Twain, traveled down the "River of Dreams" in a pontoon boat.

Southeast Missouri University Foundation members opted for the comfort and dryness of autos as they waved and threw candy to the crowd.

The university band played on and cheerleaders pumped up the crowd with cheers and stunts in preparation for the big game Saturday afternoon, but the home team lost to Tennessee Tech 27-7.

The homecoming court convinced convertible owners to put tops down despite the rain.

"We're braving the weather," said 1998 Woman of the Year Amy Yager.

This year's parade floats were devoted to celebrating Southeast around the world. Floats depicted historical sights from St. Louis to Zimbabwe.

The floats held up well despite the weather. Plastic materials replaced the traditional tissue paper poms used to create the floats.

The Catholic Campus Ministry's entry, S.S. Noah, proved it was ready for the rain. A sign on the side of their truck proclaimed, "Noah's driving."

Sigma Phi Epsilon's Sphinx with the glowing eyes, spitting camels and rotating pyramid utilized a police escort as it traveled in the 6:45 a.m. misty fog up I-55 from a storage facility at the airport to Capaha Park. The fraternity captured second place honors in the Class I division for larger floats.

Alpha Xi Delta and Pi Kappa Alpha's Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe claimed first place honors. Alpha Chi Omega and the men of Phi Delta Theta's Tokyo took third place.

Class II honors for smaller floats went to SEMO Agriculture Club, 3rd place; SEMO Horticulture Club, 2nd place; and the DARE program entry, 1st place.