'Thriller' themed ENMU homecoming parade draws more than 100 entries

Jared Tucker

Saturday’s Eastern New Mexico University homecoming parade had more entries than last year according to ENMU faculty, making it an event that lived up to it’s theme, “Thriller.”

Parade coordinator and ENMU Alumni affairs director Janice Cowen said the parade went real smooth this year, as the community came together along with 17 area sponsors who donated money to make the parade possible.

“The floats were really creative with this year’s theme and I felt like the community really embraced the event and got involved,” Cowen said.

This year was ENMU Mascots Vic and Tory’s first time riding in the parade, along with the more than 100 vehicles total, Cowen said.

Nine were floats made by various ENMU clubs and organizations.

The amount of entries this year didn’t go unnoticed by the people watching, either.

Portales resident Mark Montoya didn’t attend last year’s parade but said this year he enjoyed the classic cars, a Chevrolet Camaro especially, and the marching bands from ENMU and Portales Schools.

“Oh it was great, it was a pretty good size,” Montoya said.

Cowen said ENMU is grateful to the Antique Auto Club for once again bringing in their classic cars for ENMU dignitaries to ride in.

Mary Newell of Portales said she enjoyed the lengthy parade this year, and so did her candy-hungry kids, Steven and Michael.

“The kids had a blast, and we got a ton of candy,” Newell said.

The Newell boys said their favorite float was the “werewolf float,” because it had a scary, dead Michael Jackson on it painted like a zombie.

That float, which was called “Guardians of the King of Thrill and Queen of Dark” won the award for most beautiful float, Cowen said, while the ENMU VOICES roller coaster float won most outstanding.

Midnight Hour by the Zeta Ki Alpha sorority and Kappa Sigma fraternity won most clever, and the first place award for community floats went to First Financial Credit Union.