Alpha Tau Zeta — also known as Farm House Fraternity — won the float competition at OSU’s 102nd Home Coming Parade Friday.
Credit: Hayley Beck / Lantern reporter
Members of the Ohio State community took to the streets in celebration of the school’s 102nd Homecoming Parade Friday.
The parade — which started at Ohio Stadium and ended at the Ohio Union — featured more than 100 entries, said Carrie Miller, associate director of student activities at the Ohio Union.
Student Life sponsored the parade, which includes a number of costs, including closing streets, having grandstands and providing entertainment, Miller said. However, she said specific numbers won’t be available until 30 days after the event.
Many student organizations take the float construction seriously and spent long hours on the projects.
Alpha Tau Zeta, also known as Farm House Fraternity, was one of those organizations.
“We had about 30 people working on the float this year over the course of the week, we spent the last three nights working past 2 a.m.,” said Seth Erwin, fifth-year in agribusiness and Farm House member.
Farm House went to great lengths to keep the float design a secret, said Ben Nething, a fourth-year in agribusiness and Farm House member.
“We worked at a secret on-campus location, today was the first time other people saw the float,” Nething said. The Farm House float focused on welcoming Rutgers to the Big Ten. There were helmets of all Big Ten schools on the float.
Student organizations that participate in the parade competed for first, second and third place.
The Farm House float placed first for the fourth year in a row.
Each organization received a trophy and monetary award. First place received $1,000, second place won $500 and third place won $250, Miller said.
Kabe Eichenauer, Block O membership director and fourth-year in education, said the float’s goal was to spread Buckeye spirit.
Block O placed second among student organizations.
The Block O float featured a rotating diamond with a different sport on each side. The wrestling and gymnastics teams walked with the Block O float.
“We consider Homecoming a week-long of activities and welcoming back of alumni – a total celebration of Ohio State,” Miller said.
The Buckeyes are set to take on Rutgers Saturday at Ohio Stadium. The game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
