While sororities, fraternities and clubs at the College practice with their powder puff teams, prepare their dance routines and organize their homecoming traditions, the Sesquicentennial Committee, in conjunction with Ewing Township, is culminating its final efforts to reinstate an old homecoming tradition - Parade Fest - to be held Oct. 16.
"The parade was a great tradition during homecoming for many years," Janis Blayne Paul, major events director and chief Sesquicentennial officer, said.
"During the Sesquicentennial Celebration, as we reflect on our history, we want to bring back the traditions of the past that were such an important part of student life and college community."
According to Amanda Reagan, co-chair of the homecoming committee, the parade, consisting of student organizations, clubs, faculty, alumni and representatives of Ewing, will represent the themes of "A Moment in Time" and "Take Pride in Ewing." This year every homecoming team will be responsible for decorating a car to create a "time machine" reflecting a time period designated to its team.
According to Blayne Paul, Ewing Township will also be very visible in the parade. Ewing schools will build floats and the high school marching band will participate as well.
Approximately 20 clubs and town organizations will contribute in some fashion, as well as six to seven various musical groups.
"It's a great opportunity to (involve) the community in celebration," Blayne Paul said. "The members of the Ewing community love a parade ... and this is another way to engage them and invite them to come to campus and join in the life of the College."
Wendell Pribila, mayor of Ewing Township, said he takes pride in the joint efforts of the College and the township to revive the old tradition of a homecoming parade.
"(The College) is one of the town's biggest entities. We just think fostering a good and ever-improving relationship between the college, community and town is important," Pribila said.
Pribila said his son is a graduate of the College and participated in homecoming events.
"We're trying to let students know there's something beyond the campus," Pribila said.
The parade will form at Moody Park in Ewing Township at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning and the route will continue through the community toward campus at 10 a.m. The parade, consisting of student organizations, clubs, faculty, alumni and representatives of Ewing, will display the themes of "A Moment in Time" and "Take Pride in Ewing."
According to Tim Wilkinson, fraternity and sorority programs director, participants in the parade's "crazy car decoration contest" will be judged by a committee.
According to Blayne Paul, anyone who wishes to participate in Parade Fest still can. For more information visit the Sesquicentennial Web site at tcnj.edu/~150years/.
