Bears took to the streets for the first time in a decade to celebrate the homecoming parade, outfitted by classic cars, the homecoming court and registered student organizations wielding candy.
Jacob Ternes, co-chair of the homecoming committee’s student life division, planned the comeback.
“I’ve been here since 2020 and I know that we haven’t had a parade since then. I think in 2018 and 2019 they had a little bit of a bigger Bear Walk on game day, but having a stand-alone parade like this … it was about 10 years ago they did that,” Ternes said.
This year’s Homecoming Week was all about bringing back tradition, with the return of the parade and a much bigger Fall Fest. Despite excitement growing over the parade, a cold snap and high winds dimmed the comeback.
Ternes said, “We were worried that our crowd was going to be affected by the cooler temperatures and the wind. I think that happened to a certain extent, you know, not as many community groups came out to watch.”
The parade had a total of 25 entries, but Ternes estimated a total turnout of 22.
“We had a couple that had to pull out today, like the reigning homecoming queens from the previous decades. Unfortunately, none of them were able to join us today,” Ternes said.
Ternes said the turnout was “not too bad. A good place to start for future years.”
Ebony Models, a registered student organization dedicated to promoting a “spirit of cooperativeness … while increasing self-confidence,” according to their page on CubConnect, was excited to participate in the parade.
Vice President Brennan Price said, “We thoroughly enjoyed the parade. It felt great to be a part of something so fun and memorable for Ebony models and UCA.”
Ebony Models was not an RSO during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this appearance was a welcomed return for the group. Price said, “It feels great to be back.”
Members of its executive board rode in the back of a pickup truck, posed for cameras and held signs promoting the organization.
“Our ride was provided by [my family],” Price said. “A few of the executive members worked on our sign overnight.”
Other participants in the parade included Greek life organizations, the 2022 homecoming court, IDEAL freshman leadership, UCA’s ROTC and the UCA band.
The parade route began on Western Avenue and snaked through campus, where residence halls organized watch parties.
“They sponsored watch parties out in front of a couple of different halls; Arkansas Hall and Conway Hall, and then in front of the student center. That was right in the heart of campus” Ternes said.
Ternes said homecoming is important not only for current students but to involve alumni with the growing and changing campus community.
“We’re trying to build memories for students so that they can have a good time and they want to come home in the future. We’re trying to create a vibrant campus atmosphere so alumni want to come home to visit,” Ternes said. “So we can make our students happy, get them excited to come back in the future as alumni, and get to keep our alumni happy to continue coming back to support our students.”