Community invited to participate in Parade of Nations

Contact: Margaret von Steinen
Photo of students with flags.

Students carry flags at a past parade.

KALAMAZOO—The public is invited to help put the "home" in homecoming when Western Michigan University holds its annual Parade of Nations Saturday, Oct. 12.

Flag bearers are needed to carry a nation's flag in the parade, which takes place just before kickoff of the Homecoming football game at 2 p.m. in Waldo Stadium.

The event is a colorful display of multicultural diversity on campus that has become a homecoming tradition. It features some of the University's nearly 1,700 international students from 104 nations carrying flags of their home countries across the playing field.

Flag bearers and others will gather at Kanley Track for an 11 a.m. pre-game tailgate party, where attendees will be able to enjoy complimentary food and assemble flags for the parade. All students, WMU employees and families from the Kalamazoo community are welcome to register to attend the tailgate and participate in the parade.

Those planning to participate may indicate a specific country they would like to represent in the parade, however, flags are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register, visit WMU's International Programming Office in 3521 or 3516 Ellsworth Hall or contact the office at hige_activities@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3966.

For more information about Homecoming events, visit wmich.edu/homecoming.