Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MTSU's Homecoming Parade was moved online. The Alumni Relations office worked with MTSU's Marketing and Communications division to pivot to the shoebox parade, which featured more than 50 float entries from Blue Raiders everywhere. Alumni, family, friends, student groups, organizations, campus departments, and community members created floats from shoeboxes or similar structures and submitted photos to be included in this historic virtual parade.
To create a feeling of normality during the pandemic, the event was broadcast live on Homecoming Day 2020 from the Alumni House on True Blue TV, Facebook Live and the MTSU YouTube account. Chip Walters, voice of the Blue Raiders, announced parade entries along their virtual parade route as though a traditional parade were taking place. Pat Duke, Distinguished Alumni Award winner and narrator for the History Channel's “Swamp People,” served as a co-host. MTSU's mascot, Lightning, wore a mask and served as Grand Marshall. Pre-recorded footage of floats was integrated into the broadcast.
From the Judges
We thought that this nomination was fantastic. There was a lot of effort and planning that went into putting on this virtual parade. All of us on the judging panel fully understand how much time and effort goes into the planning, strategy, and execution process when it comes to an event like this. This is especially noteworthy, given the short time frame.
