Doubling in size, the Homecoming golf cart parade on Saturday, Sept. 29, will include approximately 50 floats.

As of Wednesday, Student Activities Board had received applications for 47 carts, including student organizations, fraternities and sororities, residence halls, campus departments and alumni associations.

Mike Rozier, SAB vice president for research and development and chair of the parade, said that applications for carts are continuing to come in.

Unlike past parades, all floats had to be approved this year by SAB. “Since we are providing the floats for free, we wanted organizations to put some thought, time and effort into making the floats worth the money that we put into them,” said Rozier.

The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Vandeventer Avenue and West Pine Mall and proceed through campus. At Grand Boulevard, the golf carts will travel north toward Firstar Plaza where an alumni reception will be held. The parade will continue down to McDonald Douglas Hall and conclude at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

Three $250 awards will be given this year to the best floats in three categories: use of theme, school spirit and overall. In addition, two Golf Cart Cup trophies will be given to the best float from a chartered student organization and a University department.

Funding for the parade was provided by the University President’s Office. With its donation of $4,000, SAB was more than able to cover the costs of renting the golf carts and providing awards.

“[The President’s Office] really sees a need for increased school spirit, and this was one way to improve that,” explained Rozier.

Something new this year will be the addition of dogs to the parade.

“We’re asking any faculty member, staff or student to dress up their dog and walk them in the parade,” said Rozier. Any dog and owner entering the parade should be at the corner of Vandeventer Avenue and West Pine Mall at 5 p.m.