Homecoming Parade
Friday, October 19, 2018 | 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Along Richmond Road
Don't miss this traditional Homecoming event. Participate in the fun or join your friends to watch the creativity presented by students, alumni and more! The parade begins at the corner of North Boundary Street and Richmond Road, proceeds along Richmond Road, turns onto Dillard Drive, and ends in the Kaplan Arena parking lot.
Are you a member of a reunion class? There will be designated areas along the parade route for you and your classmates to gather.
Congratulations to the parade winners!
Student Float
- William & Mary Choir
- W&M Cheerleaders
- Black Student Organization
Student Marching
- William & Mary Griffin Bhangra
- William & Mary Japanese Cultural Association (JCA)
- Confucius Institute
Alumni/Community
- Charles City Marching Band
- Woodrow Wilson Marching Band
- Olde Guarde
Spirit Award
TribeTHON
What is the parade route?
The parade begins at the corner of North Boundary Street and Richmond Road, proceeds along Richmond Road, turns onto Dillard Drive, and ends in the Kaplan Arena parking lot.
Can I watch the parade online?
Yes. You can watch the parade livestream on the W&M Alumni Facebook page.
How do students apply to participate in the parade?
You can apply online to participate in this year’s Homecoming Parade. Registration closes at midnight on October 5, 2018. Please note if a student group is interested in a flatbed truck, their entry must be submitted by midnight on September 15, 2018.
Can my club/organization receive financial assistance to participate in the parade?
Yes, we have parade grants for those students who need financial assistance. Parade participants who are building floats will receive up to $100, while walking groups will receive up to $50. All student participants who are approved for grants will have to purchase their items up front and will receive a reimbursement after the parade. All receipts will be required to be turned in within a week of the Homecoming Parade.
How do alumni or community members apply to participate in the parade?
Submit online. Submissions are due by midnight on October 5, 2018.
Are there prizes for winners of the parade?
Yes! The W&M Alumni Association offers prizes for both student groups and alumni/community groups. The prizes are as follows:
Float Groups Prizes (students only):
1st Place: $1,500
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $250
Marching Groups Prizes (students only):
1st Place: $750
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $200
Alumni/Community Prizes (non-student entries):
1st place: $500
2nd place: $350
3rd place: $150
Any group can qualify for the Spirit Award: $1,500
Where does the parade begin?
The parade begins at the corner of North Boundary Street and Richmond Road.
Where does the parade end?
The parade ends at the Kaplan Arena parking lot located between McClurg Drive and Compton Drive. There will be dumpsters available for parade participants to break down their floats and discard any trash.
Where is parade check-in?
All parade participants must check in with Alumni Association staff on North Boundary Street at their assigned time. Due to road blocks, participants will only be able to get to the check-in location by driving from Lafayette Street onto North Boundary Street.
Once you have arrived at the North Boundary Street check-in location and have been given permission to proceed to the parade line-up, a volunteer will officially check you in at your line-up spot.
If I am a walking/marching group, where can I park on campus?
For full details of where parking is allowed on campus, please visit www.wm.edu/parkingservices. If you are a participant in the parade, you will be allowed to park in the large Kaplan Arena parking lot located between McClurg Drive and Compton Drive from 3 to 6 p.m.
If I am dropping off parade participants in a bus or another larger vehicle, where will I go?
The drop-off location for Parade participants is on North Boundary Street near the Williamsburg Library. Vehicles dropping off participants will then be directed back onto Lafayette Street through the library parking lot.