More than 50 businesses, student organizations and bands are participating in the McNeese State University 2009 Homecoming Parade scheduled to travel down Ryan Street at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. This year's Homecoming theme is “70 Years of Saddlin’ Up."

The parade will start at the intersection of Ryan and East LaGrange streets, turn south on Ryan and travel to McNeese Street, and turn east on McNeese and travel to the Doland Athletic Complex, where it will disband for the homecoming pep rally and fireworks display.

The pep rally will be held inside Cowboy Stadium at the northeast corner of the stadium. The student gate on the east side of Cowboy Stadium will be the only entry into the pep rally. The fireworks show, which is sponsored by the McNeese Alumni Association, will follow.

The parade staging area will be held in freshman parking lot A next to the McNeese alumni center. All motorized floats must enter the parade staging area off McNeese Street into lot A. Lineup begins at 4 p.m, while judging for the floats begins promptly at 5 p.m. For those floats participating in the parade they must be in position in the designated area prior to 5:30 p.m.

Following the float judging, the floats will exit the athletics complex on to Common Street and travel down to East LaGrange Street. Persons on the floats are reminded to remain seated and not to throw anything on the way to the official parade route.

All marching bands and dance teams will be staged at the University United Methodist Church parking lot at the corner of Patrick and East LaGrange streets. There will be no parking for band parents or buses at the church.

The high school bands and dance teams will exit the parade route at the corner of Ryan Street and Beauregard Drive and will gather in the parking lot next to the McNeese Bookstore, across from Frazer Memorial Library. Band buses and parents picking up band members here can park in this lot after dropping off band members prior to the parade.

The McNeese vs. Northwestern State homecoming game kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, in Cowboy Stadium.