 "Photo: Sarai Nunez - DFP STAFF")
The weekend’s theme was “Lost in a World of Fun,” and many of the floats had related themes from board games such as Candyland, Life, Monopoly and Hungry, Hungry Hippos. Other themes were taken from the pages of “Harry Potter” and “Alice in Wonderland.”
The float building ranged from enthusiastic to frenetic. Organizations like the Warren Towers Residence Hall Association and School of Management Government had more than 40 students working on construction during the night.
The Warren Towers Candyland float featured representations of the playing board, including different students dressing as the characters.
“I’m painting my entire body green tomorrow as Plumpy,” said Joel Fajardo, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman, referring to the furry board game character. However, he said he was disappointed that he would not be allowed to throw candy from the float during the parade.
Even the best of float plans had to be improvised and amended as dawn drew near. College of General Studies students encountered difficulties trying to use issues from last week’s Daily Free Press to build their Candyland float.
Students had different reasons for giving up their Friday night for the annual tradition. As Student Union Executive Vice President Zach Coseglia, a College of Communication senior, painted a giant purple mushroom on the Student Union’s Alice in Wonderland float, the Vice President of Public Relations, COM senior Laurie Steinberg said, “This is a lot of fun.”
Her words were echoed by Jesse Mumford, CAS junior, who said she first starting float building two years ago because her friends were on the Homecoming Committee.
Occasional paint wars flared during the night and early morning. “Give people enough caffeine and no sleep and they’ll have fun,” said Christina McCall, a Sargent College junior.
Some came to have fun, but others like the SMG student government came to compete. The SMG float had won the most spirited award for the past three years.
“We’re going for four,” said Michael Affronti, a SMG sophomore, hours before his team succeeded. The event is always popular with SMG students, he said. “This is what we look forward to.”
When the parade was finished, the Myles Standish RHA captured the award for best overall float. The judges awarded the Warren Towers RHA the best theme award while the most creative prize went to the School of Education student government.
In the golf cart category, the School of Hospitality Administration won the best overall prize. The most creative award went to the Local Students Union and the most spirited award was captured by the Orientation Student Advisers.
Some newer student organizations decided to participate in the annual event to start a new tradition, said Sargent College sophomore Kary Pegram, who helped paint a Umoja banner that read “Umoja = Unity.”
The Caribbean Club made a float to advertise the Caribbean Carnival, an annual celebration held around the world and part of Caribbean culture.
“We’re bringing our culture to BU,” said Deidrie Buchanan, a CAS sophomore.
For the Inter Fraternity Sorority Council, the float building represents “unity among all the different chapters,” said Magda Prus, a CAS senior chair of the Pan Hellenic Rush Committee. Her float, called “The Game of Greek Life,” was surrounded by new members hammering and painting. The new members were required to work on the float, she said.
In addition to the students, many parents visiting for Parents’ Weekend spent much of the evening at the Armory, although many refused to touch any paint. One parent, Judy Arom, watched as her 14-year-old son, Jeff, helped paint a giant white dice for a Monopoly float.
Visiting alumni from the School of Education came early in the night and set up a snack area complete with chips and blow-pops to fuel the students working around the clock.
While the different clubs and organizations were all trying to win the best float award, the late-night building session was indicative of other things.
“It’s not how much time you put into it, but how many friends you really have,” said CAS freshman Joel Fajardo, referring to his float’s prospects of success.
The float building was sponsored by the Student Activities Office. All interested organizations must submit an application and a tentative plan. SAO then assigns the more than 20 different clubs and organizations to one of 10 large floats constructed on Mac truck flatbeds, nine smaller floats on golf carts or painted banners.
Although gray skies and misty rain greeted the student workers on Saturday morning, it didn’t damper their spirits. Police blocked traffic on Commonwealth Avenue from Granby Street to the Armory to let the parade pass.
Some spectators said BU’s Homecoming has been muted since the school cut the football program.
“It’s a little odd, but at least we have some kind of sporting event — there’s a hockey game tonight,” said Jason Macmore, a CAS senior.
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