The 2015 Homecoming festivities have come to a close after celebrating generations of proud Penn Staters and their cherished traditions. Just like the slate of activities throughout the week, the parade tied a final bow on a 95-year-old tradition.

Starting at Pennypacker Hall in East, tons of organizations, bands, and clubs marched onward through campus and down College Avenue, ending promptly at Rec Hall by the Lion Shrine. if you weren’t able to pull up a chair and watch it with the rest of us, be sure to take a look at our Homecoming parade photo gallery on Facebook and check out what you missed!

It’s the symbol of our best, the @NittanyLion! pic.twitter.com/Pu46YY2pQY

— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 9, 2015

The Homecoming parade is a beloved community event, but it encapsulates what it means to be a Penn Stater. The student organizations and clubs that attend it are also required to participate in a week-long competition judging them on a variety of different categories. One of those requirements is creating a float and participating in the parade. When the floats reach Allen Street, they are promptly judged by evaluators at the Friends and Family Tent.

In the midst of fighting for candy and dodging small children in the Media and Sponsor tent, and with the help of my fellow staff writer Tim Reams, I managed to compile a list of my favorite floats and moments of the parade.

• Grand Marshal Keegan-Michael Key was the first notable figure, looking cool as ever and waving to an enthusiastic crowd (we also totally locked eyes for a moment.) Can’t wait for our dinner date, babe!
• President Barron followed closely behind him, zipping around with his wife in a cute little golf cart.
• The THON Executive Committee released its 2016 theme “Believe Beyond Boundaries,” receiving thunderous applause from a huge crowd.
• To pay homage to Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State’s original name, the Lion Ambassadors created an Old Main bell tower.
• The Blue and White Society showed off an impressive paper mâché version of Beaver Stadium.
• Alpha Zeta took a jurassic approach, mimicking this summer’s box office hit “Jurassic World” – even including a “real-life” velociraptor.
• The Lion made an appearance with the dedicated members of the Alumni Blue Band.
• THON organization Atlas sported a giant, pink hat on top of its car, providing some flair to an already vibrant display.
• The Penn State Thespians passed out paper announcing that a production of “Legally Blonde” is happing October 22 through October 24.
• Sigma Nu and Sigma Alpha had an impressive Little Mermaid-like float, with King Triton reigning on his regal throne.
• Sigma Kappa and Sigma Pi members got a positive reaction from the crowd with the reveal of their Lilo and Stitch-themed float.
• Phi Sigma Pi proved how creative its members were with its elaborate construction of a Star Wars-themed float, wowing the crowd and earning the prestigious honor of my personal favorite.
• A lovely “Hoosiers are Losers” banner was proudly flown. Check out our staff predictions for tomorrow’s Homecoming game!
• Equally impressive was Peace Love Lyrical and AXP’s spot-on Up!-themed float, drawing rousing approval from the energized parade audience and the kids too!
• The Penn State Glee Club awed the crowd with a beautiful a cappella version of the Alma Mater.
• And, of course, the Blue Band added that extra pep everyone needed by the end of the parade, keeping spirits afloat.

Even though I didn’t get to list and describe to you all just how incredible each float was, I wanted to make sure I mentioned how great of a job everyone involved did. With a strict 52-page rule book, I’m sure the process wasn’t an easy one.

Though the parade has concluded, make sure you come out to tomorrow’s Homecoming game against Indiana. Kickoff is at noon, so be sure to show up early!

Have a Happy Homecoming, Penn State!