Despite cloudy skies and concern for rain, the annual homecoming parade brought students, parents, community members and alumni out to see members of Eastern’s community ride through the streets.

Keridwen McDaniel, a sophomore at Charleston High School and a member of the CHS Marching Band, said the weather was a welcome change after the heat of last year’s parade.

“The college homecoming parade is more exciting than the high school one,” McDaniel said. “I like listening to the other bands and seeing the different floats.”

The other bands in the parade were Eastern’s Panther Marching Band, Mattoon Middle School Marching Band and The Civic Memorial High School Marching Band from Bethalto.

Michael Livingston, a junior music major, did not march with the Panther Marching Band but instead chose to follow the band, taking videos and photos of them as they performed throughout the parade.

Livingston said he volunteered to take the photos and video for the band because both have always been a hobby of his and something he really enjoys.

“I marched with them my freshman and sophomore year and really enjoyed it,” Livingston said. “I always really loved the amount of applause they get when we reached the Square; I probably won’t notice it this year, as I’m focused on something else.”

Janet Gingerich, a member of the EIU Parents Club, said this was her third year riding on the group’s float in the parade.

She said she got involved with the EIU Parents Club three years ago, and now her husband Darrel is the president of the organization.

“We love being a part of and supporting something for our daughters’ school,” Gingerich said. “We really enjoy it and I love to watch all the different people along the route.”

Spectators came from surrounding areas to see the parade.

Kristy Warman, a Hindsboro resident, went to the parade and brought her two daughters, Abby, 6, and Rachel, 4, because her mom, Amy Richardson, works at Eastern as the director of the Center for Academic Support and Assessment.

“It’s a pretty good turnout, and the kids are excited because they are getting a lot of candy,” Warman said.

As the parade passed by, the girls cheered and waved at the different groups, each filling a grocery bag with candy and receiving a Beanie Baby bear from members of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, whose float focused on their partnership with the organization NO MORE which advocates against domestic violence.

“I think it’s a lot of fun and like the candy; my favorite’s bubble gum,” Abby Warman said. “I like the bands and the floats too.”

The parade started on Seventh Street near Old Main and ended on Division Street near Morton Park.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].