Wayne State University’s 2006 Warrior Homecoming Parade will be the biggest in Detroit history. The expanded parade, starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 14, will feature more than 100 floats, marching bands, artists and vehicles, among other participants.

Following the parade at noon, a record crowd of more than 6,000 spectators are expected to attend Wayne State’s football game against Hillsdale on the newly resurfaced Tom Adams Field. One draw is a top Homecoming raffle prize. Wayne State is giving one current student a free year of WSU tuition (32 credits, a $7,200 value). WSU employees, alumni and the general public also have designated prizes to win, each valued at $250.

To win, entrants must register for the raffle at Parade Central on Anthony Wayne Drive near Starbucks. Other student prizes are

• an Apple Computer laptop and iPod Nano 2G (a $1,500 value)
• a trip for two to an out-of-state WSU hockey game (a $500 value)
• a $250 Barnes & Noble gift card
• a $250 gas card

To grasp the parade’s magnitude, consider the local media coverage. Comcast is broadcasting the unprecedented 1.1-mile parade, which begins at Second Avenue and Palmer, with a six-camera crew and commentary from announcers Cliff Russell, Detroit Public TV, and Dayna Clark, WJR 760-AM. Two billboards along I-94 boast, “Come for the Parade, Stay for the Game.” And parade participants WJLB, WHDT, CIMX, WDRQ, WDET, WKRK, WRIF, WKQI, CIDR, WJR and WWJ are promoting the parade on the air with radio spots.

“This is the most exciting homecoming in WSU history,” said David Strauss, dean of students and parade co-chair. “Never before have we had a parade of this magnitude or a crowd of students, employees, alumni and metro Detroiters who were more enthusiastic about our university and the future of our city.”

The parade will feature the reigning Miss Michigan, Angela Corsi, local marching bands, a Detroit Fire Department truck, team of motorcycle stunt artists called “All Odds Beaten,” and student and employee floats. There is an also a “Family Fun Zone,” which includes inflatable games, face-painting, and various arts and crafts activities for children of all ages, which will be open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Adams Field (southeast corner of stadium).

Visit homecoming.wayne.edu for more information. To view the schedule of Homecoming week, visit http://www.homecoming.wayne.edu/Events.htm.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.

Contact: Ted Coutilish
Voice: (313) 577-0952
Fax: (313) 577-4459
Email: ag5046@wayne.edu