Homecoming Week is upon us, with the streets paved with crimson-clad students as alumni make the pilgrimage to Norman and tradition is held above all other priorities.

Evidence of Campus Activities Council’s endeavors were noticeable around campus all week — including the sidewalk chalk murals, events and boards on the South Oval that displayed the best of Sooner pride — pumping up the excitement for Saturday’s home football game against Texas Tech and the preceding parade celebration.

This year’s 54 student organizations participating in the parade will line up at 4 p.m. on the corner of Boyd Street and Elm Avenue next to the floats they put a lot of work and time into, Goodhart said.

Organization members will walk with smiles on their faces, passing candy out to the Norman residents watching colorful structures pass by.

Each decided on a specific, prominent city or landmark location of the United States or other countries to contribute to the overall theme, “Paint the Town Crimson,” CAC Homecoming Week chairwoman Madelyn Randolph said.

Las Vegas, New York City, New Orleans, London and Ireland are some of the places that the organizations are representing, as well as Disneyland and Hollywood.

“We had a goal to come up with a theme that appealed to alumni and tie into a tradition,” Randolph said.

Homecoming parade chairman Colin Goodhart, management information systems senior, said the parade is an important part of Homecoming Week.

“I think it is an important tradition because it really brings out the alumni and fans, and everyone can see the hard work that is being put into this university,” Goodhart said.

The OU Pom Pon Squad, OU cheer squads, the Ruf-Neks, deans of different schools and the homecoming royalty candidates also will be walking in the parade.

Even though this parade is part of OU homecoming week, it is also a chance to celebrate the Norman community, Randolph said.

President Boren has invited high school bands to participate in the parade and children part of the OU Junior Spirit Squad will also be involved.

Goodhart said he wanted to be this year’s parade chair because he has been a part of the homecoming celebration every year since he was a freshman.

“I wanted to do something that was challenging but attainable,” Goodhart said.

Even though Goodhart thought it was challenging to get every group participating in the parade on the same page, he said he knew it was worthwhile.

“I just like the whole planning it from start to finish and seeing it all work out in the end,” Goodhart said.

GO AND DO
See the parade
WHEN: 4 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Starts on the corner of Boyd Street and Elm Avenue