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Where the Sagebrush Grows: A History of USU Homecoming Traditions: The Homecoming Parade

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The Homecoming Parade

Homecoming parades are some of the most well-recognized traditions of Homecoming. At USU, the Homecoming Parade has always been held in downtown Logan and has traditionally been attended by community members, students, and faculty. Today it is a popular event which brings together the university, local businesses, and community organizations.

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In 1953, the Student Union made this parade float for the Homecoming Parade.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 12, Sleeve 4315)
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This was the Forestry Club’s Homecoming Parade float in 1953.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 12, Sleeve 4315)
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The theme of this 1953 float was “Halloween Hallucinations.”
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 12, Sleeve 4315)
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This “Wash ’em Out” float was featured in the 1950 parade.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Sleeve 2043)
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In honor of their upcoming game against the Wyoming Cowboys, this float was decorated with a “Fallen Cowboy” theme in 1950.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Sleeve 2043)
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The riders on this float from 1950 dressed as Roman centurions.(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Image 2043h)
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This float’s theme was “World Freedom Through Education.”
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Sleeve 2043)
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The classic symbolism of the eagle represented victory for this Homecoming float.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Sleeve 2043)
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This float’s theme was “Up the Creek.”
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Sleeve 2043)
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“The Year’s Biggest Upset” float alluded to the Homecoming Game as well as the deer “driving” the float itself.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Sleeve 2043)

Float themes were picked out months in advance of Homecoming and the planning and execution could take several weeks. For especially large celebrations, similar methods are still used today, although many floats are now commercially produced. 

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Playing off the agricultural nature of USAC, this float celebrated what was sure to be an “Udder Victory.”
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Homecoming photograph collection, P0387, Box 1, Folder 3, Image 23.)
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Homecoming 1956 was held in late October, spurring the creation of this “Bewitch ’Em Aggies” float.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Homecoming photograph collection, P0387, Box 1, Folder 3, Image 16.)
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This was a float from the 1956 parade.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Homecoming photograph collection, P0387, Box 1, Folder 3, Image 4.)
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Not all entries to the parade were floats; some of them, like this one by the Student Life staff, travelled on cars or on foot.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Homecoming Photograph collection, P0387, Box 1, Folder 2, Image 8.)
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In this photo, students construct a Homecoming float.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Utah State University Students Activities Photographs collection, P0312, Box 2, Image 246.)
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This float’s theme was “Echoes of the Past.”
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Utah State University Student Activities Photographs collection, P0312, Box 2, Image 240.)
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Another float with a Polynesian cultural theme.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Utah State University Student Activities Photographs collection, P0312, Box 2, Image 238.)
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Spectators of the 1948 Homecoming Parade.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 4, Sleeve 1341)
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This parade float from 1948 had a Hawaiian theme.(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 4, Sleeve 1341)
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Pirates were the main characters on this float from 1948.
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 4, Sleeve 1341)

In the 1960s and 70s, photographic technology had developed to the point where it was mobile and easily accessible for all kinds of events. As a result, Homecoming parades were heavily photographed during this time. For those who are interested in exploring this era of Homecoming, feel free to click through these galleries of parade photos.

Homecoming Parade 1978.pdf
Homecoming 1978 [click image to view a clearer picture]
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 76, Sleeve 17632)
Homecoming Parade 1976.pdf
Homecoming 1976 [click image to view a clearer picture]
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 71, Sleeve 16693)
Homecoming Parade 1975.pdf
Homecoming 1975 [click image to view a clearer picture]
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 69, Sleeve 16318)
Homecoming Parade 1973.pdf
Homecoming 1973 [click image to view multiple images]
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 65, Sleeve 11713 and Box 66, Sleeve 11772)
Homecoming Parade 1970.pdf
Homecoming 1970 [click image to view multiple images]
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 59, Sleeve 10320)
Homecoming Parade 1966.pdf
Homecoming 1966
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 44, Sleeve 8541c)
Homecoming Parade 1962.pdf
Homecoming 1962 [click image to view multiple images]
(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, USU Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 40, Sleeves 8254a and 8254c)