Homecoming parade big draw

It rained candy for children in a more than 60-float Eastern New Mexico University homecoming parade Saturday for in downtown Portales.

ENMU kicked off 75th anniversary homecoming festivities Friday.

But the real fun, at least for area children, started Saturday morning with the parade along West First Street.

Portales native Mark Gormley started attending the annual parade as a child. Gormley said he comes for the bands.

“I really like the Greyhound band,” Gormley said. “They sounded really good and of course the (Portales High School) Ram band. It is not a parade without a band.”

Adults and children jammed both sides of the street.

“It is neat the way the university is celebrating the 75th anniversary,” Gormley said, "being a part of Portales for 75 years. They’re trying to bring the community together to celebrate that. It is a good partnership.”

Floats in the parade were competing against each other for a trophy presented during halftime of the Greyhound football game.

Alumni Affairs Assistant Brooke Cordova said float winners receive a trophies from the Alumni Affairs Office.

“We had 12 campus floats and 16 cars with dignitaries,” Cordova said. “So, overall it was close to or little more than 75 to 80 participants.

“I think a lot of people enjoy the parade and look forward to it every year,” Cordova said “It is one of the biggest parades we have during the year. It was a good turnout.”

Float winners

Most Outstanding Float — Associated Student Activities Board

Most Clever — Voices

Most Beautiful — Mu Alpha Nu

Most Outstanding Community — First Financial Credit Union