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lined Main Street to watch the
traditional homecoming parade.
Eagerly anticipating the event, the
spectators found various ways to
keep warm: some people sipped
coffee, others bounced up and
down to keep their circulation
flowing; some held quiet conversations
with their neighbors;
and a few munched on caramel apples
sold by the university's Office
Education Association.
As the music of the Vandal Marching
Band drifted up Main Street
and sky divers filtered down from
heaven, the crowd pushed forward.
The children, who only ten minutes
before had been running and
yelling, squeezed between adults
in order to get close to the oncoming
spectacle. A hush fell over
downtown Moscow.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" sang the
drum as the marching band
loomed into sight. Raising their instruments
to their lips, the
musicians blared out Idaho's Fight
Song. Instinctively, the crowd
began to clap; children mimicked
the musicians by marching in
place; and a few supporters sang.
Closely behind the band
followed Terry Armstrong, the
parade's Grand Marshall, and his
secret service (ten male students
dressed in black trench coats). The
homecoming parade offically
began.
And, what a parade it was. Bands
and drill teams from local big h
schools, junior highs, and clubs
braved the elements to entertain
the spectators. The crowd
definitely appreciated the performance:
each group was greeted
by a round of applause. Numerous
clowns, dressed as Santa, Miss
Piggy, Sylvester the Cat, and other
famous characters, darted intermittently
from behind the bands,
drill teams, and floats. Children
squealed in delight as they
reached out to touch this living fantasy.
A whole array of politicians
and political hopefuls, including
Governor John Evans, partcipated
in the events .
... And floats. Not as many as one
would see in the Rose Bowl Parade,
but enough to make it a gala event.
Vandal football players, characterized
as cowboys with white hats,
and Weber State Wildcats, characterized
as pussy cats, dominated
the theme of all the floats. Joe Vandal,
riding a gigantic Rainier bot·
tle, lassoed a wildcat in one float.
The amount of time spent building
these floats was evident.
Even the nuns from St. Mary's
demonstrated their loyalty a nd
dedication to the UI. One nun,
dressed in her traditional habit,
rode her bike from one end of Main
to another with a sign, "Say a
Prayer for Idaho," tacked onto the
cycle seat.
It was not just a university
homecoming parade; it was a community
event. The city exhibited its
love for the university.
And then it was over. Main Street
became merely a street again as
the crowd dissolved ... time for football.
Nearly 15,000 people crowded
into the Kibbie Dome to watch
Idaho and Weber State's Big Sky
opener. The Dome pulsated tension
for it was Idaho's homecoming
game, and the fans wanted a victory.
Weber State led through most of
the game with its more balanced
attack, while Idaho's aerial
acrobatics kept the Vandals within
striking distance. And, strike they
did. Trailing 31-21, fleet-footed
Vic Wall ace hauled in two Ken
Hobart touchdown passes for a 35-
31 Idaho lead with less that eight
minutes remaining.
Weber State added a field goal
and Idaho held on for a fitting one
point victory. The game proved to
be a thriller in more ways than one.
Yes, fate smiled warmly on the
homecoming festivities. Other than
a rainy Saturday morning, Mother
Nature blessed the Palouse with
sunshine, while the Vandals topped
off the weekend with an exciting
victory over Weber State.
Could we have asked for more?
Nicolette Carrell 0
12 Homecoming Cont.