Two UCLA fans sat amidst a sea of red and blue on the UA Mall Saturday, watching Homecoming floats and cars parade past them.

The men sat in awe, wide-eyed at the enthusiasm and spirit that University of Arizona students, alumni, staff and community had for their school.

"Homecoming here is very colorful and festive. It seems as if it is the only game in town," said Mike Macias, a football fan from the University of California - Los Angeles who flew into Tucson to cheer on the Bruins.

Their voices, however, were drowned out by thousands of UA students and supporters celebrating Homecoming.

Sponsored by the senior honorary, Bobcats, 82 parade entries made their way up and down the Mall, said Kirsten Flowers, psychology and molecular and cellular biology senior and Bobcat member.

Flowers said Bobcats is responsible for organizing alumni functions and awards, and selection of the Homecoming King and Queen. The Bobcats have been planning the event since last May, she said.

Flowers said the parade promotes spirit and it is a chance for everyone to come together.

Dee Dee Buzzi, 1996 Homecoming queen, and Fai Mo, the king, both agreed that the Homecoming parade is a great tradition.

"Everything - the parade and the events on the Mall - is supporting UA tradition," Buzzi said. "The UA has the oldest celebration and it is great to be a part of it."

Mo said his experiences as king, which included riding in the parade and being introduced during half time of the football game, "really tops off being a Wildcat."

Floats constructed by members of the Greek community, campus organizations and residence halls were judged by a panel and given eight awards.

Float builders, who typically took four to five days constructing their entries, believed participation in the parade was important in keeping the levels of school spirit, said Mike Morawitz, business freshman and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity member.

"There was a lot of comradery involved. We show pride in our house because it is our accomplishment," he said.

Sarajane Mogol, business freshman and Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority member, said helping build her sorority's float was rewarding because it gave members a chance to work together.

"It shows school spirit when we can get involved," she said.

The parade also featured creative expressions of spirit. Steven Baker, a 1972 UA graduate, wore a suit adorned with 3,862 pennies and was the last entry in the parade line-up.

Baker was featured in the 1990 Guiness Book of World Records because of the number of pennies on his suit.

Ina Stone, parent of a UA student and a parade attendant, said Homecoming is always a lot of fun. Both he and his wife Karen come to many UA functions, including Family Weekend, he said.

"Homecoming is a great event to bring people back to the school," Ina Stone said. "Alumni can rekindle friendships, and students can maintain spirit."

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