WACO, Texas — Baylor University hosted its highly anticipated Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 26, the nation's largest and oldest. The event drew alumni, students and community members together in a celebration for everyone.
Although the inaugural 1909 Baylor Homecoming Parade was a success, the event—and Homecoming as a whole—did not become an annual tradition until after World War II.
The second parade occurred in 1915, six years after the inaugural event, while the third happened in 1924. After that, Homecoming was celebrated sporadically until World War II. Following the war, the tradition was established as an annual event from 1945 to the present.
Now, the parade is filled with colorful and larger-than-life floats; student organizations and local businesses showcased their pride in green and gold. The event showed the university's rich traditions and emphasized the strong support from alums who return to campus year after year.
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One couple, David and Kathryn Brenna, who met as freshmen in 2008, shared their enthusiasm for the event. Now married with a family, they expressed how returning to Baylor feels like returning home.
"It sounds kind of cliché because it's called Homecoming, but when we come back to Baylor, it does feel like homecoming," David Brenna said. The Brennas enjoy dressing their children in Baylor gear and participating in the festivities.
The parade is not just a celebration of school spirit, it's a testament to the lasting connections formed at Baylor. The Brenna family looks forward to continuing this tradition, hoping to instill the same love for the university in their children.
Tune in to our 6 Plus streaming app for more insights into the history of Baylor's Homecoming Parade and the community's involvement.