Greek organizations compete in float competition before parade

Handmade floats, which called for hours and hours of time and dedication from fraternity and sorority members, lined the Hawkins parking lot last Sunday as judges reached verdicts on the winners of this year’s Homecoming float competition.   

Before the annual Homecoming parade in Downtown Troy, the floats made by the university’s fraternities and sororities are entered into a competition as part of a week of Homecoming traditions. Floats decorated following this year’s theme of “There’s No Place Like Troy” were spectated and judged by a panel of judges.  

One person on the scene with the judges was Olivia Barron, coordinator of student engagement and leadership first year experience, is a recent Troy alumna who spent her time as a student going to Homecoming events and working on the floats for her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. She said her experience and first-hand knowledge of what goes into creating a float from scratch helps her make sure all of the judges know just how much time and effort went into the floats they were judging. 

“Having that student knowledge I think helps a lot versus being an outsider who may not really understand any of this and maybe not understanding the hours they’ve put into it,” Barron said.  

Something Barron knows about from her time spent creating floats is pomping, which is the long process of rolling small tissue paper balls to create pieces of art. She said pomping was something she helped explain to judges.  

“I think these [floats] are wonderful; I know they put hours and hours, and they stayed up late, and they pomped a lot,” Barron said. “I know they take a lot of pride in that and what they do, and honestly, I just hope they look back at the floats, and they realize that all those hours were worth it.” 

Marielana Cappadoro, a Chi Omega sister and junior nursing major from Enterprise, Alabama, said her sorority started pomping all the way back in April, then again in September before finishing the week prior to the judging.  

“It was a great feeling to be a part of building the float, especially when at first I just saw plywood boards, but to see it in the end standing with all of its color was the best feeling ever,” Cappadoro said. “I am so excited for the parade on Saturday and can’t wait to show Troy how hard we worked on our float and see all the smiling faces downtown!” 

One judge for the competition was Luke Jones, an academic advisor coordinator in the John W. Schmidt Center. Sunday marked the first time he had ever participated in the float judging process. 

“I’m mesmerized by these floats and the amount of time and the amount of effort that was placed into them,” Jones said. “Sitting as a spectator in the parade, you don’t really see the amount of energy and time that has gone into these floats, but looking at them up close in person, I’m just mesmerized by the students and their willingness to actually sit down and do this.” 

Jones said that the floats are a good reflection of the Troy community because that’s what Troy is all about – working hard and going the step above. He also offered some encouragement for people in the community to see the floats during the parade on Saturday. 

“Troy is a community, and that’s what we’re all about – celebrating the community,” Jones said. “I want everybody to come out and see these floats that these students have made because they have really put a lot of energy, effort and hard work into these.  

“I’m just excited to see them come down the square and for everybody to get to see what I saw today.” 

Barron offered words of encouragement to come watch the parade as well. 

“I think it’s just a great way to see what we’re doing here at the university and the people we have that are putting so much hard work into this,” Barron said. “I do hope everyone comes out; it’s so awesome.  

“I love Troy University, but I also love Troy so much just being from here. It’s really special to me, and all the people make the place, so I think it’s important to have them come out and be a smiling face on Saturday, after all that hard work.” 

Those interested in watching the parade can visit downtown Troy on Nov. 1. The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with lineup beginning at 8 a.m.