WHITNEY A. SMIT
Glittering floats, marching bands and even Mickey Mouse will greet spectators along the parade route Saturday morning, immediately following a free breakfast sponsored by BYUSA.
The day's festivities will begin at 7:00 a.m. at Deseret Towers Field with pancakes and juice before the parade, which is set to begin at 8:30 a.m.
The parade will begin in the Marriott Center parking lot and will end, an hour and a half later, at the Smith Field House.
The entourage will travel east from the parking lot and then head south on 900 East, turning right at 820 North, near the ROTC building. The parade will turn left at 700 East, pass Mama's Cafe, and turn right on 800 North, passing Campus Plaza and Monticello apartments. Making the last turn at 150 East, heading north, the parade will conclude at Haws Field, near the Smith Fieldhouse.
Entries for the parade will be accepted by BYUSA until 7:30 Saturday morning. Each entry costs $10. Interested people may call BYUSA at 378-3901 for more information. The nine best entries will receive cash prizes of over $100 each.
The BYU folk dancers, the BYU cheerleaders, the Cougarettes and the Cougar Marching Band will be dancing, twirling their batons and blowing their horns. Disneyland's Mickey Mouse, making his first appearance at BYU, will help conduct the marching band.
Other highlights will include an appearance by the Provo High School cheerleaders, and Miss Utah, Natalie Pearson.
The Grand Marshall for the parade will be local entrepreneur Alan Ashton, grandson of David O. McKay. This year's Homecoming festivities will be a tribute to President McKay and his focus on educational excellence. The parade will reflect this year's chosen Homecoming theme, 'Echoes of Truth.'
President Merrill J. Bateman and Sister Bateman will also participate in the parade's unique motorcade.
Portions of 900 East and 800 North will be inaccessible to motorists during the parade.