Homecoming Parade

The Homecoming Parade is a longstanding tradition that celebrates the spirit and pride of our institution. Parade entries should enhance and promote the university and must adhere to the following guidelines. Please review the parade guidelines below. 

Show your Bulldog pride! The 2025 AAMU Homecoming Parade will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 8am. Registered student organizations (RSOs), departments, and community groups are invited to apply for participation. 

Application and Registration

• All participants must carefully read these guidelines and complete the electronic parade application, including the Release of Liability Agreement.
• Incomplete applications will not be processed. Submitting an application does not guarantee participation, as space is limited.
• All parade entries must be submitted online. Paper applications will not be accepted.
• A mandatory participant meeting will be held in October 2025. At least one representative from each participating group must attend.

Entry Requirements

• Eligible entry types include:
  • • Cars, trucks, or SUVs
    • Trucks with attached trailers (no longer than 12 feet in length)
    • Marching or walking units
    • Dance teams
    • Marching bands

 

Parade Vehicle Decoration Contest (NEW!)

All vehicles participating in the parade are eligible to opt into the decoration contest for judging. Judging will take place during the parade, and winners will be notified via email or phone following the event.

Winners will be recognized on social media and will receive a certificate.

Contest Rules:

• • Open to all participating vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and trucks with trailers (maximum trailer length: 12 feet).
  • Marching bands, dance teams, and walkers are not
  • Decorations must reflect the Homecoming theme and showcase the university in some way.
  • Entries should be creative, festive, and visually engaging.
  • Participants must indicate their interest in the contest on the parade application. Completing the application does not automatically enter vehicles into the contest.

Judging Criteria:

• • Participation – 5 points
  • Incorporation of Theme – 15 points
  • Creativity & Originality – 15 points
  • Overall Appearance – 15 points

 

Alabama A&M University Homecoming Parade – Restrictions and Safety Guidelines

All participants are responsible for the safety, conduct, and operation of their entry. The Homecoming Committee is not responsible for providing vehicles, decorations, or maintenance support.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants and spectators, the following restrictions and safety policies will be strictly enforced:

Candy & Item Distribution

• • Individually wrapped candy or other items may be given from walking units—to prevent children from running into the parade route.
  • This safety rule will be strictly enforced by the AAMU Department of Public Safety.

Political Participation

• • Political candidates or organizations must receive prior university approval to participate.
  • Approved entries must align with AAMU themes and celebrate the university’s heritage.
  • The parade is not a platform for political campaigning or issue advocacy. No political materials may be distributed to viewers without written university approval.

General Prohibitions

• • No Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed or displayed at any point before, during, or after the parade.
  • No Unauthorized Vendors: Vending is strictly prohibited unless approved by the university.

Additional Notes

• • Violations of these guidelines may result in removal from the parade, police intervention, or disqualification from future Homecoming parades.
  • The Homecoming Football Game Kickoff will take place at Louis Crews Stadium at 2pm. Therefore, traffic may be heavy following the parade.

 

Alabama A&M University Homecoming Parade – Vehicle & Marching Unit Guidelines

Vehicle & Entry Restrictions

• • No Motorcycles: Motorcycle entries or motorcycle group applications will not be accepted due to local and state safety regulations.
  • No Large Floats: Floats are not permitted, as the parade takes place on campus with large speed bumps in certain areas of the route and space is limited.
    • • NOTE: Trucks and SUVs are allowed to attach a trailer that is no longer than 12 feet in length.
  • No Animals: Entries involving animals will not be permitted.
  • Vehicle Requirements: All vehicles must be clean, well-maintained, and decorated with signage.

 

Motor Vehicles

All vehicles must:

• • Be clean and in good working condition
  • Include at least a magnetic sign identifying the organization
  • Be decorated to show school spirit and align with the Homecoming theme

To ensure safety and school spirit, all car entries must follow these rules:

• • Decorations: Every car must display a professionally made sign identifying the organization and/or reflecting the Homecoming theme.
    • • The Homecoming theme is ‘Volume 150’.
      • Off-campus organizations and businesses must visibly demonstrate their support for AAMU and decorate their entries in celebration of Homecoming.
      • Cardboard signs are not allowed.
  • Riding Restrictions:
    • • No participants may sit on the roof or hood of a vehicle.
      • Participants may sit on the back of a convertible or through a sunroof, as long as legs remain inside the vehicle.
  • Driver Conduct:
    • • Drivers must keep both feet inside the vehicle—no feet on the dashboard or out the window.
      • Drivers must not exit the vehicle once the parade begins, especially while the vehicle is in motion.
  • Safety Enforcement:
    • • All participants must display a level of professionalism throughout the duration of the event.
      • Any unsafe behavior may result in removal from the parade, as determined by the AAMU Police or its partnering departments.

 

Bands, Dance Teams & Marching Units

• • Roster Submission: All bands and dance teams must upload a roster to their application.
  • Arrival & Line-Up:
    • • Dance teams and marching units will line up in the grass staging area upon arrival.
      • All members and support vehicles must arrive together as a group.
  • Decorated Vehicles (Optional):
    • • Dance teams and marching units are allowed to include a decorated vehicle as part of their entry.
  • Performance Restrictions:
    • • Marching bands and dance teams will be allowed to stop to perform briefly at the 2nd staging area only along the route.
      • Groups will be allowed a maximum of 60 seconds to perform. Then they must continue on the route.
      • Teams that stop and cause gaps in other areas of the parade will be asked to move forward and may not be invited back in future years.

**NOTE: Please note that participation is not approved until your group receives confirmation.

 

The Parade Application will close on Monday, September 15, 2025 or once all spaces have been filled. 

• Click here to access the Parade Application

 

Parade Line-Up & Route

• • Check-In Time:
    6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
    Location: MLK Elementary School
  • Parade Start Time:
    The parade will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.
  • Parade Route:
    Line-up begins at MLK Elementary School. The parade will turn north on Meridian Street and continue down to turn left on Davis Drive.

 

Participant Parking

• • Parking arrangements are as follows:
    • • Cars/SUVs: Park in the Morrison Fine Arts parking lot.
      • Buses: Park at the New School of Business.
      • Only vehicles that will be driving in the parade will be permitted in the line-up area.

 

Contact Information

For additional assistance, please contact us at student.activities@aamu.edu or alumni.affairs@aamu.edu.