Parade-goers braved cold snap

Letter to the editor | Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2009 1:00 am | No Comments Posted

The University of Montana Office of Alumni Relations and the Alumni Association extend our sincere thanks to all of those who braved our chilly Montana weather and participated in the 2009 UM Homecoming Parade.

Thank you to the parade entrants who were so careful about giving candy directly to the children. This simple action greatly reduced the number of children in the roadway, which made the parade safer for all spectators and participants.

Thanks, also, to those who complied with the rule limiting the size of each entry. We must keep the parade to a reasonable length and we appreciate those participants who created beautiful entries within the allotted 40-foot requirement.

We would like to thank our parade sponsors: UM Office of the President and the Excellence Fund, KMSO-FM and Southgate Mall, and our community partners, UM Campus Security and the city of Missoula Police Department.

Special thanks to the many volunteers who made the parade possible: Amanda Hemry and the Missoula Chamber of Commerce Red Coats, UM's Track Team, Advocates, Mortar Board, Delta Gamma sorority, Hellgate High School Key Club, and James Smart, UM Band coordinator.

A special thanks to our esteemed panel of judges who valiantly fought wind and cold to determine the best of the best and award the Homecoming Parade trophies: Ryan Hanson, Cedric Jacobson, Tom Javins, Kevin Molm, and Bev Young. Kudos to Gus Chambers of KUFM for doing such an outstanding job as emcee, to Joel Baird, Kelly Hegg, and the crew at MCAT for taping the parade, and to Bagels on Broadway and the Catalyst for providing food for our volunteers.

Next year's parade will be a little earlier, Sept. 25, on a balmy and beautiful, why-we-live-here fall Saturday which we order just for the occasion. Hope to see you all there.

Bill Johnston, director, UMAA, Suzette Dussault, UM Homecoming Parade coordinator, Missoula