Photo by Samantha Davis. Members of SMSU's EMAE club walk through the homecoming parade Saturday morning on Main Street. Below: Kids run to grab candy being thrown at the homecoming parade.

MARSHALL — Main Street filled with community members Saturday morning to watch the annual Southwest Minnesota State University homecoming parade make its way through town. Several university clubs and local businesses were featured in the walk.

The National Anthem got the parade started, as law enforcement stopped near City Hall then proceeded to lead the rest of the floats. The Marshall fire department followed, as did SMSU President Kumara Jayasuriya to start, and a range of floats continued with treats, dancing, music and admirable looks.

“We love supporting SMSU by twirling in the parade and it’s always so fun to see all of the Mustang apparel along the parade route,” owner and coach of KayKo Baton Studio Kayleigh Kontz said. “The SMSU homecoming parade is always a highlight for our twirlers … Classes kicked off in September, so this is one of the first community events that the studio is involved in for the new season. For some of the twirlers, this is their very first parade ever and the excitement is definitely heightened.”

KayKo studio marched toward the end of the parade, as kids showcased a baton performance with energetic smiles.

“We enjoy practicing our parade routine during class, which includes twirls and moves that are also in other routines,” Kontz said. “On nice days, we march around the studio parking lot and the kids just love working on all of the skills that go into parade marching.”

The SMSU alumni award recipients also were featured on a float, who were recognized earlier this month as significant university graduates. Deborah (Geiver) Norlin, Steve Klein, Gary Dahms and Doria Drost were the named honorees.

Homecoming royalty offered waves to the public as they rode through after the university’s marching band, including the 2024 King and Queen Sebastian Tilton and Kylie Unger.

After a few local businesses like Just for Kix, Prairie Home Hospice, Marshall Council and Area Stage Company, and the Minneota Boxelder Bug Royalty Queen Hannah Vlaminck and Princess Elizabeth Vierstraete came through, a group of bright tie-dyed shirts and upbeat music arrived.

SMSU’s Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators club (EMAE), which works to support and build connections for education majors, built a float covered in colorful balloons and threw out candy as they walked.

“We went through a lot of planning for the parade this year because we wanted to try and top our float that we had last year,” EMAE President Emily Hernandez said. “It was so much fun … We all loved the turnout and the atmosphere that came with it.”

Hernandez also mentioned they got a pep-talk before the parade from program advisor Toni Beebout-Bladholm, and enjoyed creating a fun music playlist.

“Being in the parade is huge for us because it helps us represent a part of SMSU and the community, but also helps us gain more insight into our club,” Hernandez said. “We are a teacher dedicated club that helps students with teacher development and education. We’re always open for new insight and speakers that can come and talk at our meetings or to our students.”

As kids continued to run to collect all the candy being thrown, various sports teams threw some more and offered hi-fives as they went by.

SMSU cheerleaders, dance team, basketball, softball and Marshall wrestling and hockey were among the teams who participated.

Marshall Fitness brought some humor to the afternoon, coming through the parade on an ATV with a baby goat and a sign reading, “Be Your Own G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all Time).”

The Shades of the Past car club drove through toward the end, with a line of antique and old-time cars that parade goers showed fascination in, pointing and sparking conversation about the vehicles.

A handful of other SMSU clubs also got to partake in the event, including Club Latinx, Ag Club, Chemistry, Veterans and Exercise Science Club.

“It was a fun and stressful time, but wouldn’t have it any other way,” SMSU student Sam Lund said, who was a part of the Student Association float. “We usually have a work night the day before the parade to get everything built, made, and set up … It’s one of my favorite things, and I love how our float is built as a team.”

As the final attractions and tractors disappeared down the street, the crowd dispersed in smiles and adults holding hands with their children, showing that the parade was a success in celebrating community and school spirit.