by Staff Writer Trevon Tucker
Eastern New Mexico University is celebrating its 88th Homecoming Week with the annual Homecoming Parade at 11 am on Oct. 21.
ENMU Homecoming Parades traditionally follow the chosen theme of Homecoming Week. With 2022 Homecoming theme being “There’s No Place Like ENMU”, onlookers can expect to see an array of creative and exciting floats themed around The Wizard of Oz.
The Homecoming Parade is one of ENMU’s oldest traditions. There is photographic documentation of Homecoming Parades all the way back in 1939. Various organizations at ENMU create their own floats for the parade. While the event is centered around ENMU, other members of the Portales community are encouraged to attend the event as well.
“I think it’s something that brings Eastern and the community together,” said Sara Nino, parade organizer and administrative assistant for the Office of Alumni Affairs. “I think a lot of people view the Homecoming Parade as ‘just Eastern’, but it’s definitely Eastern and its community.”
The parade will likely last around an hour. For those who would like to continue celebrating Homecoming Week following the parade, activities and events will continue throughout the day. There will be volleyball games at 12 pm and 2 pm in the Greyhound Stadium, as well as a football game between ENMU and Central Washington University at 6 pm in the same location. There will also be a performance of the play Wait Until Dark at the University Theater Center at 7 pm.
So if you’re in Portales, make sure to catch the ENMU 88th Annual Homecoming Parade will take place on Hwy 70 at 11 am today.