No, attendance and parking is free!

Attendance at the Tailgate is free, but only those who have purchased Gold Coat Club parking in Lot H can park their cars there. Parking for Lot H must be purchased ahead of time – there will be no day-of parking for purchase at Lot H. There are plenty of free lots on campus.

Yes! Parade participants will be distributing candy by hand, not throwing. BE ATTENTIVE AND KEEP LITTLE ONES SAFE AND OUT OF THE PARADE ROUTE.

Parking for parade spectators will be available in lots C, E, F and G. Please refer to the map for parking lot locations.

You may park in portions of lot H if you have previously purchased a parking pass through Athletics. Lot H parking access will NOT be available for purchase on site that Saturday. Gold Coat Members who have previously paid for Lot I parking access may park as usual.

Entrance to the MoWest campus can be accessed by the SW University Drive via Mitchell Ave and James McCarthy Drive via Faraon St. McCarthy Drive will be closed during the parade from 3:15PM to 4:15PM approximately.

Mitchell Ave access to both the main entrance (Ronald Reed Way) and SE University Drive will be closed in advance of the parade and for a short time after it ends.

The parade route is indicated in red on the Parade Route Map. The parade will be viewable via any grassy area or sidewalk along the route. High School bands will stop to perform near the James McCarthy Drive entrance along the route.

Registrations for this year’s parade have closed. If you have not received a confirmation email from us, you may NOT participate in the parade. Please do NOT arrive day-of to join the parade if you have no received a confirmation email from Parade Director Jennifer Morris.

UPDATE: Registrations for this year’s parade have closed. If you have not received a confirmation email from us, you may NOT participate in the parade. Please do NOT arrive day-of to join the parade if you have not received a confirmation email from Parade Director Jennifer Morris.

Any organization can apply to be in the parade on our website. Final selection of applicants is approved by the MWSU Foundation’s parade committee. Applying – and participating if selected – is free. We strongly encourage those who are selected to bring some branded swag, coupons, and safe, appropriate treats to distribute to the crowd.

Yes! The parade committee will select the best eligible, non-band, community participant in the parade. Not all community entries are competing – some of those participating are Grand Marshals’ Invitees.

The community group or business named the winner earns a $1,000 cash prize from the Foundation! The winner will be announced during the football game.

To be eligible to compete, a group must also be an approved entry and must march, drive, and/or perform safely and in a manner appropriate for youngsters and a family event.

Points will be tallied for best demonstration of school spirit, best reflection of the Wild MoWest homecoming theme, and most entertaining effort. Entries can earn a bonus point for safely handing out candies, swag, or other goodies to the audience. Entries seen throwing items to the audience or into the parade route will immediately lose points and may be disqualified.

All decisions of the judges are final.

Yes! The marching bands that perform will be judged on their performances by band professionals from the region. A variety of trophies will acknowledge the best performers. The band judge overall the best, with the best display of spirited, musically-entertaining, and appropriate crowd-pleased performance will also earn a cash prize of $1,000 to be spent on their program.

On-campus participants – students and employees at the University – will also compete for a $1,000 prize.