Homecoming Week Preview

In addition to the annual Homecoming Parade and Bonfire, live entertainment will be found in the Valley after both events.
Image Courtesy of Lynnis Hill

As thermostats start to drop and cooler weather approaches, we don our sweaters and scarves. Weather such as this is a reminder that autumn is here and with it comes classic fall activities. Such activities include apple picking, running through corn mazes, and attending the homecoming parade. For Concord University, homecoming is just around the corner.

     Student Government Association Representative, Miranda Woody, excitedly gives all the details, “Well, the parade kicks off on the Athens campus at six p.m. on Thursday, October 13th. We meet in front of the football field around five p.m. that afternoon to get everything set up.”

    She goes on to say, “We’re really looking to have a strong Beckley presence this year so we need lots of volunteers to dress up in our fifties theme, throw candy, carry the Concord University Beckley banner, etc. Afterward we all go to the big Valley bonfire which is tons of fun, and we get to hang out with the students on campus and celebrate homecoming as one all-inclusive student body.” 

    As Ms. Woody mentioned, homecoming encompasses more than just a parade. At 7:15 p.m. Krista Hughes and The Replacements Concert will be held as well as a performance by the Ohio Burn Unit at the bonfire immediately following the parade in the Valley. Both performances are free and open to the public. 

    Line up time for floats is 4:15 p.m. at the Concord University Callaghan Stadium Parking Lot. The homecoming theme for this year is “Through the Decades in the United States, the Roaring 20’s, the 60’s, the 70’s, the 80’s etc.” Please note that the Parade Route for this year has changed. The parade will begin in the Football Field Parking Lot and proceed through the front of campus and then down Vermillion Street. We will end the parade at the Concord United Methodist Church Parking Lot at the end of Vermillion Street. 

    All groups and their participants will receive a certificate of participation afterwards. Feel free to contact Lora Woolwine at P.O. Box 1000, Athens, WV 24712 or lwoolwine@concord.edu or you may fax her office at 1-304-384-5165  or you can find more information online at http://concord.edu/homecoming-parade. 

    The Parade Rules have been outlined as follows:

    1.  After checking in at the registration table, all groups and participants must remain in the designated parade line up area.

    2. No vehicle will be allowed to park in the parade formation area unless it is part of an actual parade entry. Please let everyone in your group know this in advance.

    3. The Throwing of individually wrapped candy is encouraged.

    4. No smoking and no burning of any object whatsoever is permitted.

    5. The display or discharge of real or facsimile firearms, fireworks or other explosive devices is prohibited.  

    6. Participants on bicycles, scooters, skates, skateboards, etc. must wear a helmet and proper safety equipment as required by state and local laws. 

    7. All pets in the parade must be kept on leashes and held by someone strong enough to manage them.

    8. Entries involving animals of any kind must provide and carry implements for removing animal waste and must clean up their animal waste immediately, before the following parade participant reaches the waste. 

    9.  No Alcohol allowed whatsoever. In compliance with University policy, no alcohol possession or consumption is allowed during any aspect of the parade. Police will enforce this regulation..

    10. All participants, in consideration of participation in this event, agree to indemnify, hold harmless and release Concord University, its agents and employees, from any and all liability for any injury or damage which may arise out of or in any way be connected with participation in the parade.