NAU cheerleaders pump up the crowd during the homecoming weekend parade on Saturday morning. Students, alumni, and Flagstaff citizens filled the downtown area to watch floats, along with musical performances by NAU’s marching band. Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

With everything from cotton candy to music video creation, the NAU Traditions Day carnival held Oct. 22 on the Observatory Field kicked off Homecoming Weekend, with a parade following in downtown Flagstaff on Oct. 24.

The attractions of the festival — which included laser tag, races through an inflatable obstacle course and a mechanical bull — impressed Austin Denike, a freshman business major.

“It looks like everyone’s having a blast,” Denike said. “It looks really organized.”

Denike said he had fun at the carnival.

“I’ve been on the football [obstacle course], and I’ve done some games,” Denike said. “And I ate some food; the food is great and free — can’t get any better than that.”

The carnival featured free food for all who attended, ranging from hot dogs to hamburgers and from cookies to cotton candy.

The longest lines were for the “Eurobungee,” a bungee cord ride, and an event that featured two people sparring with cushioned maces on a narrow platform and attempting to knock the other off of it. Another popular attraction was a tent where students could choreograph dances to popular music to create their own music videos (Britney Spears’ 1998 pop song, “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” was a common selection with most of the students). The students could wear a large variety of different clothing from different musical eras to add to the experience.

But for most of the students, the Traditions Day carnival was only the start to what they said was to be a great weekend.

“I’m going to go out to the football game and everything,” Denike said.

Elsie Seutopka, enjoys the band performing during the parade on homecoming weekend on Oct. 24 The parade was held during downtown flagstaff starting at 11 am. Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

After the Saturday morning tradition of Tequila Sunrise, where students and Flagstaff locals hit the downtown bars at 6 a.m. to get an early start to the day, the Homecoming Parade drew a significant turnout. Floats, automobiles, bands and military personnel made their way to Heritage Square while the crowds who packed the streets cheered and celebrated.

Melissa Hudson, a freshman psychology major, was on the Reilly Hall float. Hudson said the theme of the parade was meant to reflect on the progression of time in Flagstaff, with her float emphasizing musical trends.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hudson said. “Our float was ‘Icons through the Ages.’ We had the ‘50s [with] Elvis, the ‘60s [with] Bob Marley, the ‘70s [with] Gloria Gaynor, the ‘80s [with] Michael Jackson, and the ‘90s [with the] Spice Girls.”

Hudson said the crowd was excited to see the procession.

“The parade was really fun,” Hudson said. “The crowd was energetic and spirited. I absolutely loved being a part of my hall’s float.”

Tracie Hansen yells while trying to stay on a mechanical bull during the homecoming weekend carnival at the Observatory field. Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

The parade featured a tribute to America’s armed forces and veterans, as well as Flagstaff’s police officers and firefighters. Many clubs and residence halls from NAU were also represented, and important dignitaries from Flagstaff, including Mayor Sara Presler and NAU President John Haeger, rode in cars and waved to the crowd.

Watching from the sidewalk was Jordan Campbell, a freshman psychology major, who said she thought the parade was put together very nicely.

“I liked how they had that time theme going,” Campbell said. “It was really cool to see everyone dressed up from the different eras. I thought the [1980s] alumni band was pretty awesome.”

Campbell said the parade was popular with most of his friends.

“Pretty much everyone I talked to thought it was great,” Campbell said.

Kelsey Cvach, freshman, public relations, sits inside a human bowling ball during the carnival for homecoming weekend. The carnival offered rides, food, and games from 2-6 at Observatory field on Oct. 22. Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

Miranda Meier, Freshman, HRM, blows bubbles at the carnival during homecoming weekend. The carnival was from 2-6 on Observatory field on Oct. 22. Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

NAU band members perform during the homecoming weekend parade on Oct. 24. The parade was held during downtown Flagstaff starting at 11 a.m. Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

NAU band members play as part of the parade in downtown Flagstaff on Oct. 24. Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

Bryan Kinkade / The Lumberjack