ACUPD is preparing for the Homecoming parade and increased traffic as alumni, friends and family come to campus this weekend.

“Homecoming is one of the top two parking pressure events on campus, second only to Sing Song,” said ACUPD Chief Jimmy Ellison.

Ellison said the biggest difficulty for parking and crowd control happens Saturday morning during the Homecoming parade. The main concern for ACUPD is an accidental breach of the parade route, compromising the safety of all the parade participants.

ACUPD will be sending out emails describing the parade route, where people can and can’t park during the parade as well as clearly marking the streets for the event. Fliers will be placed on all cars that line the parade route along with the vehicles that are in the lot of where the parade staging area will be.

There will be about 15 police officers as well as 8-10 student employees along the parade route making sure no cars attempt to go around the parade boundaries.

All vehicles must be moved off ACU Drive South (Teague Circle to East North 16th St.) by midnight Friday night. If any vehicles still remain the owner will be located and asked to move it or the car will be towed and moved to a different lot.

The homecoming parade officially starts at 9:30 am on Saturday. The parade route begins on East North 16th St. at ACU Drive, then goes west along 16th to Campus Court, then turns north on Campus Court to the Elmer Gray Track Stadium entrance.

Each of the listed locations will be closed at 9:15 am and remain closed until 30 minutes after the parade ends.

“As always, everyone should drive slowly and carefully in these areas and watch for directions from uniformed ACUPD officers controlling the route and traffic flow,” Ellison said. “We want a safe and enjoyable parade for everyone.”