2025 HOMECOMING PARADE GENERAL INFORMATION AND RULES
The Homecoming Parade is a fun, annual tradition managed by the MSU Alumni Office in collaboration with MSU and the City of East Lansing. Typically, there are more than 100 entries, and over 10,000 people view the parade. PARADE ROUTE • The parade route works its way through downtown East Lansing and the MSU campus - Homecoming Parade Route Map . • The total distance is approximately 1 ½ miles and takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. • Parade entries must be able to complete the entire distance without stopping. PARADE ENTRIES Eligibility • MSU registered student organizations, MSU athletic teams, MSU departments/units, MSU invited guests, non-profit organizations, businesses, sponsors, current elected officials and candidates for elected office may participate in the parade. • The MSU Alumni Office has the right to refuse any parade entry that is in direct conflict with the mission and values of Michigan State University. Fee Schedule • There is no fee for MSU registered student organizations, MSU athletic teams, MSU departments/units, MSU invited guests, non-profit organizations and current elected officials who are not a candidate for elected office. • A $750 fee will be assessed for any business. • A $100 fee will be assessed for a candidate for elected office, including incumbents. o If a current elected official participates in the capacity of their current role/office, the fee will not be assessed and they are not permitted to represent themselves as a candidate for elected office. o If a current elected official participates in their capacity as a candidate for elected office, the fee will be assessed. Sponsorship • Sponsorships are available. Contact Peter Delong at delongpe@msu.edu for more information.
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RULES FOR PARADE ENTRIES Code of Conduct
All participants in the Homecoming Parade are representing Michigan State University and must abide by the Homecoming Parade Code of Conduct while participating in the parade. The code of conduct should be shared with all individuals participating in the parade.
Parade Entry Content and Construction • Entries may consist of: o Flatbed or truck with trailer.
o Group with one or more vehicles; walkers may accompany the vehicle(s) but must keep pace. o Group with horses; walkers may accompany the horses but must keep pace. o Group with bikes. o Group walking. • Any floats: o Should be no larger than 20 feet wide by 40 feet long (20' x 40'). o May be pulled by a motor vehicle, horse or bike. • Any banners should be no larger than 20 feet long by 13 feet high (20' x 13'). • Promotion of alcohol, tobacco and tobacco products, marijuana, controlled substances, illicit drugs, fireworks and explosives, guns, and other weapons is prohibited. • Exhibition of profanity, sexually-explicit or objectionable language or gestures is prohibited. Parade Position • All parade entries are assigned a specific position in the parade based on a number of factors. Positions cannot be changed or switched. • Positions will be provided at parade check-in. If a group has participated in prior years, they should not assume that they will be in the same position as prior years. During the Parade • Stopping along the parade route is not permitted. • Countermarching, dancing or playing in place or drilling is not permitted. • Items, e.g., candy, toys, etc., must not be thrown overhand to parade spectators. o Items should be passed out by walkers accompanying the parade entry or gently tossed underhand. o Items other than candy must be approved by the MSU Alumni Office prior to the parade. o Be Spartan Green! Reduce the types of items that will likely end up on the ground, e.g., paper flyers, coupons, etc. • Honking, air horns, bullhorns, sirens or devices designed to create a loud noise are not permitted. • If a parade entry has animals as part of the group: o Animals must be well-behaved and should be under control at all times. Dogs must be on leashes. o The parade entry must provide its own accompanying clean-up personnel. • Stunts, wheelies, driving out of the designated parade route and reckless behavior are prohibited. • All vehicle drivers are required to have a clear view and maintain constant observation of all sides of their parade entry. If any view of these areas is obstructed by accessories, decorations etc., adult supervision must be posted at each corner of the parade entry to ensure the safety of persons and objects in the surrounding areas.
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Elected Officials and Candidates for Elected Office • The elected official or candidate must personally participate and may not send a representative in their place. • Elected officials or candidates must provide their own signage. • If using a vehicle, only one vehicle per elected official or candidate is permitted and the elected official or candidate must provide their own vehicle and driver. • Distribution of campaign literature is not permitted. Cancellations • If a parade entry can no longer participate, they must contact the MSU Alumni Office at alum.events@msu.edu as soon as possible. • If a parade entry fails to show the day of the parade, the group will not be eligible to participate the following year. PARADE CHECK-IN, STAGING AND START TIME Check-In • Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. and all parade entries must arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. • ALL PARADE ENTRIES MUST CHECK-IN on the corner of Abbott Rd and Burcham Dr at the check-in/information tent. o When parade entries check-in, they’ll be given one position number/neon green sign – this is their assigned position in the parade/staging number. o To assist with check-in, it’s helpful if parade entries have a copy of the confirmation email they received when they registered for the Homecoming Parade. o Due to the size and composition of parade entries, not all members of the group need to be present at check-in. A map with the position/staging numbers and location of all entries will be available at the check-in/information tent. Staging and Position • All parade entries are assigned a specific position in the parade. o Position changes occur up until the day of the parade, so groups will not receive their position until they arrive and check-in the day of the parade. If a group has participated in prior years, they should not assume that they will be in the same position as the prior year. o Parade entries are assigned their position in the parade based on a number of factors so positions cannot be changed or switched. • Staging begins at 4:30 p.m. and all parade entries must arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. • There are two entrances to the staging area: o Entrance 1 is at the corner of Abbott Rd and Burcham Dr . This is also where the check-in/information tent is located. We do not recommend that vehicles enter here, rather they should use Entrance 2. o Entrance 2 is at the corner of Abbott Rd and Whitehills Dr. If your parade entry includes a vehicle, you should enter from this entrance. If your entire group enters here, you’ll verbally receive your position/staging number, but your group still needs to check-in. See “Check-In” section above. We suggest that one person in the group proceeds on foot to the check- in/information tent on the corner of Abbott Rd and Burcham Dr to check in and pick up the position number/neon green sign and the remainder of the group head to the staging spot. Do not drive to the parade check-in. o A map of the staging area, entrances and check-in/information will be provided to all parade entries by October 1.
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• Only vehicles participating in the parade are permitted in the staging area. • The staging area will be chalked with numbers.
o This number corresponds to the position/staging number the group received at check-in. o Volunteers will be available to assist and direct groups to their position/staging number. • All parade entries must post their position number/neon green sign on the left side of their vehicle, float or banner. If the entire group is walking with no banner, someone must hold the sign. The position number/neon green sign must remain visible during the entire parade route. o Volunteers will have tape available. Start • The parade begins promptly at 6 p.m. Parade volunteers will direct the groups into the flow of the parade. • Nothing should be left in the staging area. The staging area streets will reopen as soon as the last parade entry crosses the start line. • The “Start Line” will be marked with two vertical “Start” flags on Abbot Rd. o Please do not distribute any candy or other items until after crossing the “Start Line.” Parade viewers have a tendency to crowd the corner of Abbot Rd and Burcham resulting in a potential safety hazard, so we’ll be taking measures this year to cordon off this area. By not distributing candy or other items until, after crossing the “Start Line” you’re contributing to a safe parade viewing experience. DURING THE PARADE • The position number/neon green sign must remain visible during the entire parade route. • All parade entries should maintain an equal distance during the parade route and may be asked by parade marshals to adjust their distance and pacing during the parade. • If your vehicle experiences an issue, pull off the parade route to allow other entries to continue. If this isn’t possible, alert the nearest parade marshal for assistance. • Vehicles must yield right of way to all. • In case of an emergency, parade entries must move to the right of the parade route to allow clear, unobstructed access for emergency vehicles. END OF THE PARADE • The parade concludes at the Farm Lane bridge on Farm Lane before Shaw Lane. • As parade entries approach the end of the parade route, a volunteer will approach the group to retrieve the position number/neon green sign and direct your group where to go. • Be considerate and cognizant of those behind you and exit the parade route quickly. Parade Entries Consisting of People Walking • These groups will exit the parade route by turning left onto the river trail after crossing the Farm Lane bridge. All Other Parade Entries • Parade entries should continue on Farm Lane until they reach N Shaw Lane. o Parade entries must either turn right on to N Shaw Ln or proceed further down Farm Ln past S Shaw Lane. o Do not stop vehicles or floats immediately after turning right on N Shaw Lane and unload passengers. This is very dangerous as other groups are also exiting the parade route. Proceed further down N Shaw Lane and pull off to the right side of the road. • Anyone riding in a vehicle or on a float should exit with caution and move off the road as soon as possible.
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PARADE AWARDS MSU Registered Student Organizations • Four awards will be presented: 1) best float; 2) best banner; 3) best group; and 4) best Spartan spirit. Judging is based on adherence to the Homecoming theme. • Winners receive: o Best float - $500 payable to the organization. o Best banner, best group and best Spartan spirit - $250 payable to the organization. o Mention on the jumbotron during half-time at the football game Oct. 11. • Funds will be deposited in the organization’s account 3-4 weeks following the parade. MSU Departments/Units and Non-Profit Organizations • Two awards will be presented. Judging is based on adherence to the Homecoming theme. • Winners receive: o $100 gift card to a local merchant TBD. o Mention on the jumbotron during half-time at the football game Oct. 11. Winners will be notified Oct. 10 between 8 – 9 p.m. via both email and text. The MSU Alumni Office will contact the winners at the email and phone number provided during the parade entry registration. Winners must respond/acknowledge this communication by 10 p.m. Oct. 10 or another group will be selected. PARADE PARTICIPANT PARKING AND SHUTTLE • Only vehicles participating in the parade are permitted in the staging area. • Due to limited parking available in proximity to the staging area and street closures, we strongly encourage parade participants to walk or carpool/share rides. • Limited parking is available for parade participants at Eastminster Presbyterian Church which is located at 1315 Abbot Rd. o A shuttle will be available to take participants from Eastminster Presbyterian Church to the staging area entrance at the corner of Abbott Rd and Whitehills Dr. o At the conclusion of the parade, shuttles will be available at Abrams Planetarium to return parade participants to Eastminster Presbyterian Church. STREET CLOSURES A number of streets on the MSU campus and in East Lansing will be closed leading up to, and during, the parade, so plan accordingly. Details will be provided to all parade entries by October 1. COMMUNICATIONS Leading up to the parade, all communications with groups will be via email – this is the best way we can effectively communicate with such a large and diverse number of groups. • When parade entries register using the online form, they are required to provide the name, preferred email address and cell phone number for two contact persons. • With respect to the complexity of an event of this size, it’s important that these contact persons be responsive to their email so we can ensure a memorable experience for everyone involved.
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INCLEMENT WEATHER Michigan State University and the MSU Alumni Office are committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the East Lansing and Lansing communities during the Homecoming Parade. • The parade takes place regardless of rainy conditions. • The parade will not take place if there is severe weather consisting of thunder and lightning. • Should severe weather conditions arise or be anticipated that would make it inadvisable to hold or continue the parade, the MSU Alumni Office will consult with East Lansing, MSU Police and university officials to determine if it’s necessary to cancel the parade. • If it’s determined that the parade needs to be canceled: o Parade entries and volunteers will be notified by email. For parade entries, emails will be sent to the two contact persons for the group. o A notification will be sent by local emergency alert systems and TV and radio stations. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE If medical assistance is needed, there are two MSU Health Care tents located along the parade route: • Hannah Community Center on Abbot Rd. • In front of the Student Services Building on Farm Lane.
Emergency personnel are also stationed along the parade route.
In case of emergency, call 911.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS There is no secure area to store personal belongings, so do not bring any valuables or large/bulky items. DISMISSAL FROM THE PARADE The MSU Alumni Office reserves the right to remove any parade entry and/or individuals from the parade at any time, for any reason. This includes: • Violation of any of the rules as stated in the Rules for Parade Entries of this document including any component of the Homecoming Parade Code of Conduct. • Any floats, vehicles or groups that cannot keep pace with the parade. If a parade entry and/or individual is dismissed from the parade for violating the Homecoming Parade Code of Conduct, the group and/or individual will not be eligible to participate in future years. Dismissals of parade entries and/or individuals for other reasons other than violating the Homecoming Parade Code of Conduct, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. DISCLAIMER The MSU Alumni Office and Michigan State University, their respective employees, officers, agents, servants, and representatives (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Michigan State") shall not be responsible or liable for damage to property, injury (including death), accidents or injury inflicted by other persons, acts or omissions of any person that occur during the parade. Further, Michigan State shall not be responsible or liable for losses or additional expenses incurred by any participant due to sickness, weather, acts of terrorism, acts of God or any other cause or occurrence beyond its control. QUESTIONS Questions should be directed to the MSU Alumni Office at alum.events@msu.edu.
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