Despite the unseasonably warm weather, students and alumni alikeenjoyed a full weekend of Homecoming activities.
The weekend events kicked off Friday afternoon at the MemorialClock Tower with the annual Homecoming food drive.
Melinda Rome, a dietetics sophomore and food drive coordinator,said all of the food collected goes to the Greater Baton Rouge AreaFood Bank.
Rome said they collected more than 7,000 cans last year and weretrying to collect more than 20,000 cans this year.
David Smith, food procurement coordinator at the Food Bank, saidhe loved the enthusiasm students showed in helping them out.
“The turnout has been fantastic,” Smith said. “I don’t see whywe can’t exceed our expectations and raise more than we did lastyear.”
Saturday afternoon student organizations, high school bands, theHomecoming court, the Alumni Association and even Mike the Tigermade an appearance in the annual Homecoming parade.
Vickie Wagener, an Alumna, and her 11-year-old daughter Beverlycame from Mississippi to watch the parade.
“This is the first year we’ve been to the parade,” Vickie said.”They didn’t have this when we were here, but it’s an excellentaddition to the already great homecoming festivities.”
Beverly said she enjoys attending LSU football games, but theparade is an added bonus.
“We came down for the parade because my daughter is a KappaDelta and she’s riding in it,” Vickie said. “We wouldn’t miss herfirst parade, and now we intend to come every year.”
Beth Watkins, an Alumna, and her 12-year-old daughter Ella fromShreveport, La. also were in attendance.
“The parade was great,” Beth said. “It showed so much schoolspirit and set the tone for homecoming.”
Ella said she enjoyed meeting Nick Saban and the football teamwhen they walked through the Lod Cook Alumni Center to signautographs.
Alumnus Cliffe Laborde said watching the parade brought backwonderful memories of school spirit when he was at theUniversity.
“I like that they added the parade,” Laborde said. “It makes thegame more fun for your kids.”
Fraternities and sororities rode on theme floats and threw beadsto the crowd.
Lauren Pourchiau, a business sophomore and Kappa Kappa GammaHomecoming chair, said she had fun working with Pi Kappa Alphafraternity because she made many new friends.
“They were all so easy and fun to work with,” Pourchiau said.”They came through in the clutch when we really needed them to workhard.”
Heath Hughes, a business freshman and member of Pi Kappa Alphafraternity, also rode in the parade.
“It was great to see so many people watching the parade,” Hughessaid. “It really showed how much school spirit we have.”
The Homecoming festivities concluded at half-time of Saturday’sgame with the crowning of the 2004 LSU Homecoming king andqueen.
Colton Fontenot, an accounting junior, was selected HomecomingKing. Chloe Wiley, a broadcast journalism senior, was chosenHomecoming Queen. They were voted on by full-time LSU students.