This year’s Purple Processional, organized by the Homecoming Student Committee, will occur this Saturday as a part of the many festivities in celebration of Homecoming. 

The parade will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday on the corner of ACU Drive South and East North 16th St. near Sikes Hall. From that point on, the parade will continue westward, continuing to Campus Court. The parade will then take a right onto Campus Court and the procession will end near Edwards Hall. 

Viewers can expect to see floats designed by ACU departments and student organizations, walking groups and other decorated vehicles. The Abilene Fire Department’s Station 5 will also make an appearance, along with group floats who will be throwing candy to the crowd. So, be sure to bring a bag to catch it all.  

“You don’t want to miss it, there will be surprises,” said April Young, senior alumni and university relations officer.

Although she couldn’t specify the nature of these surprises, she did mention that a few VIP guests would also be a part of the parade. 

However, the Homecoming Student Committee made it abundantly clear that the parade is about more than just the theatrics. Instead, the Homecoming Parade is meant to be a celebration of our school spirit and the community that has been cultivated on campus.

One such example of this is the International Student’s Association’s “Parade of Flags.” The Parade of Flags displays nearly thirty flags from the various states and nations represented by students here at ACU. Representatives of that flag’s state or nation carry the flag and lead the procession onwards as part of the Opening Assembly. 

“I was so proud to hold my flag,” said Jael Morel, senior digital entertainment technology major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and a member of the Homecoming Student Committee. “Watch out for the Parade of Flags because it’s an opportunity to represent your country and represent ACU at the same time.” 

Overall, the parade will be fairly similar to those of years prior. Students, staff and alumni looking to enjoy an ACU tradition may rest assured that this slice of normalcy is back after being shut down last year. 

Homecoming Student Committee member, Julia Bruce, graduate student in accounting, left us with one last piece of advice: “Be sure to get there early to secure a spot on the parade route so you don’t miss any of the action.”