SEMO parade brings back memories

Southeast Missouri State University's Homecoming parade Saturday featured a procession of memories and optimism.

Lining the sides of the parade route, spectators recalled past parades they'd attended and lauded the newest edition making its way musically and colorfully past them.

This was Melissa Stroder's first time at a Homecoming parade since she was a senior at Southeast.

"So far, I think it's really good. I've seen a lot of floats that people put a lot of work into," said Stroder, who lives in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Stroder said she only made it to one parade when she was in school because she worked. She thought there now are a lot more entries and more community participation.

Michele Irby, director of campus life at Southeast, said there were 116 entries. She said there tend to be more during election years.

Grand marshals were past Southeast presidents Kala Stroup and Bill Stacy. Kenneth Dobbins, the current president, also took part.

This year's Homecoming theme is "Honoring Tradition-Inspiring Success." Floats were presented by decade because of the rededication of the 100-plus-year-old Academic Hall, and the event included dance teams, nine high school marching bands and the Golden Eagles Marching Band from Southeast.

Irby said she's been involved in the event for five years and planning usually starts in April. She noted parade day creates memories for students. "We have great alumni that come out," along with students and the community.

"It's one of those great events that brings together lots of different people," Irby said.

Tabitha Fligor and her friend Tyeisha Travis, sophomores at Southeast, enjoyed themselves at their first Homecoming parade.

"It's really good," Travis said. "I like the floats."

"Everybody seems full of energy for 9 o'clock in the morning," she said.

Stefanie Harris and her sister Sarah Weir, both of Nashville, Tenn., brought their children. They are visiting their parents in Cape Girardeau.

Harris said the parade is the same as she remembers. "I love it," she said.

Catherine Buchanan comes every year. When asked what brought her to the event, she said: "I have children, and we live conveniently across the street from the park and it's a fun parade. I think so far it's been great ... It's always the highest-energy parade," she said.

Freshmen Madison Thorpe and Whitley Bieser are Sundancers at Southeast and were part of the pageantry.

"It's a very exciting experience, especially because we're freshmen," Thorpe said. "Being a Sundancer is awesome."

Sophomore Gabriel Lockhart, from Prairieville, Mo., played the clarinet in the Southeast marching band for the second year Saturday.

"It's really interesting," Lockhart said of being part of the group. "I come from a small town. We don't do parades much where I'm from, so to me it's a big deal."

"It's pretty fun," Lockhart said of being part of the band. "It's just a close-knit group of people. Everyone's friends with one another. It's a good experience."

Overall, Irby said, the procession went "fantastic."

"We were very happy with the parade. We were pleased there were no issues and everything went smoothly. The crowds and fans along Broadway were enthusiastic."

And it didn't rain.

"We were very relieved that the rain didn't come," Irby said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: 1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau