By Jennifer Quilici
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Homecoming floats are marching to the beat of a different drummer this year.
In honor of Veterans Day, "Wildcats Come Marching Home" is the theme for 1995 Homecoming.
"It's a great way for people to show their spirit, and represent the uniqueness of their own club and the UA," said Jim Gibson, the Bobcat co-chair for the Homecoming parade.
The parade, which will run from 11 a.m. until noon, will consist of about 27 floats from UA fraternities, sororities and residence halls. Other floats will be from the Greek House Directors, the Alumni group, and the Latter Day Saints group, Gibson said.
There are seven awards donated by the Sahuaro Trophy Company that go to the best floats.
The floats are judged by a number of people in the campus community who are asked by the parade coordinators, Homecoming coordinator Jennifer Mahon said.
Some of this year's judges include Mike Low, assistant director of the Student Union, Veda Hunn, assistant dean of students, and Dan Maxwell, director of the Department of Student Programs.
The Grand Marshal Award, the top award given, is based on content, appearance and originality.
Other awards are given based on spirit, enthusiasm, design creativity and entertainment.
Gibson said anyone can enter a float, the only requirement being that they must use their own creativity.
"It's a good way for guys to meet girls, and girls to meet guys, and at the end of the week you can look at the float and say we made that," said Jeff Lepow, fine arts junior and member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity.
Float participants attended three meetings and filled out entry applications and some legal papers, Gibson said.
Gibson said the Bobcats have taken many measures to ensure that the parade is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
In 1993, a member of the Chi Omega sorority fell off her float and it ran over her legs. Although she was not seriously injured, Gibson said every year the Bobcats take more precautions to make sure this kind of accident never happens again.
Before the parade begins, all 13 Bobcats will inspect the floats and walk with them to make sure they're safe, Gibson said.
The floats are not permitted to have any alcohol aboard and they are required to have a fire extinguisher.
Gibson said each group is responsible for buying the materials to make their float.
The only help the Bobcats give is to set up a lottery system for five to six flat-bed trucks that are donated every year for the parade by the City of Tucson, Gibson said.
He said those who do not win a truck, have to find a flat-bed on their own.