9-19-08

Media Release

OSU Seeks Entries for 2008 Homecoming Parade

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s annual homecoming weekend will feature a parade through downtown Corvallis and campus on Saturday, Nov. 1, and the OSU Alumni Association is seeking parade entries.

The theme of the parade, during this election year, is “Benny for President.”

OSU mascot Benny Beaver and alumnus Ken Austin – founder of Austin Dental Equipment Company (A-Dec) and the original Benny Beaver – will serve as grand marshals for the parade. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, prior to OSU’s homecoming football game against Arizona State at 7:15 p.m.

The alumni association is inviting groups and businesses to participate. Floats, bands, dance groups and costumed characters are needed to make this event a memorable one, said Julie Schwartz, associate director of the association.

Details and entry forms are available online at http://www.osualum.com/s/359/start.aspx, by mail or fax from the alumni association, 541-737- 2351, or can be picked up at the CH2M-Hill Alumni Center, the Downtown Corvallis Association and the Corvallis Benton Chamber Coalition.

Student organization entries are $10; all others are $15. Decorated floats, marching bands, student and community groups, dance teams, novelty acts, etc. are invited to be in the parade.

The tradition of a homecoming parade was resurrected two years ago by the alumni association. This year’s parade will begin in downtown Corvallis at Southwest 1st and Jefferson streets, and proceed west on Jefferson all the way into the campus until it turns south on 26th Street to end in front of Dixon Recreation Center.