OHIO STATE'S 1999 HOMECOMING PARADE IS BIGGER AND BETTER

   COLUMBUS -- Those who want to watch the 1999 Homecoming parade are encouraged to stake out a prime spot along Neil Avenue to see the Capitol City Bagpipes, Ohio State cheerleaders, Shriners in their mini cars, Columbus Blue Jackets mascot Stinger, and many more Buckeyes march through campus.

   The parade will take place at 9 a.m., before the Oct. 30 football game against Iowa.

   "We are very excited about this year's parade," said Tracy Stuck, director of the Office of Student Activities. "The Homecoming committee has put a lot of time and effort into planning the event, and it really shows from the number of participating student organizations, university departments, and businesses and organizations across Columbus we have lined up to take part in the parade. It seems like it gets better every year."

   This year's parade, the last Homecoming parade of the century, will be led by three grand marshals: former Ohio State track and field star Stephanie Hightower, Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka and Roger Blackwell, marketing professor in the Fisher College of Business.

   "It seems only fitting to have three grand marshals since we have named Homecoming week 1999 the 'Blast of the Century'," said Heather Brandon, student co-chair of the event.

   Ohio State President William E. Kirwan and David Williams II, vice president for student and urban/community affairs, will be riding in cars in the parade, which also will feature the Homecoming king and queen, their court, and the Alpha Phi Alpha African American king and queen.

   The parade route starts at the intersection of West 17th and Neil avenues, runs east on 17th Avenue to High Street, proceeds south on High Street to 12th Avenue, turns west on 12th Avenue to Neil Avenue, and turns north on Neil, stopping on the Oval. The parade route will be closed to through traffic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parade spectators should plan to arrive on campus early and follow the traffic control officers' directions to available parking.

   For those planning to attend the parade only, parking is available in the Ohio Union or Arps garages located on North High Street, between Woodruff and 12th avenues. These facilities will allow easy exit after the parade. For those planning to attend both the parade and the football game, parking is available in any day-of-game parking lot. The charge for parking will be $5 without an Ohio State parking permit.

Contact: Tracy Stuck or Heather Brandon, (614) 292-8763