Ngoc Vo/ Messenger

There will be a change in the route for this year’s 60th annual Troy University Homecoming Appreciation Day Parade due to road construction on parts of Three Notch Street.

According to Dan Smith, chair of homecoming parade, the lineup will start on Elm Street, with the route going through the town square, left turn at Three Notch Street. The parade will end on Madison Street.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the parade on Saturday, Oct. 11 with the homecoming theme of “Getting Back to Our Roots: We Are One.”

The lineup will begin at 8 a.m., and the parade starts at 10. It will last around one hour, Smith said.

The chamber is accepting applications for the parade with various types of entries. Interested persons can apply to have professional floats, hand-crafted floats, vehicles or walking units participating in the parade.

There is a $10 fee for all of the entry types at the parade. Application forms can be found at the Chamber or on its website.

Lauren Smith, vice president of the Chamber, said participants will include local schools’ marching bands and Troy University’s Sound of the South.

Smith said the chamber has been planning the event for two months. It is the largest parade every year in Troy with the average number of entries every year between 85 and 100.

“Troy University homecoming is a historical event,” Dan Smith said. “We highly encourage groups and organizations to get entries into the parade to show appreciation to the university and take part in this fun activity.”

He said the city of Troy, Troy University SGA and Alumni Association have provided a great deal of assistance in preparation for the parade.

Barbara Patterson, Troy University director of student involvement and leadership, said the school is looking forward to the event

“I am very grateful to the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the homecoming committee for all the hard work they do,” Patterson said.

“I am excited to see the products of our students’ efforts on the floats that they always take great interest and pride in. We hope every community member will come out and join us.

“The support of the community over the past years has been absolutely wonderful. It’s amazing to see how many people come out for the homecoming parade.”