Education

Gallery: 2016 UF Homecoming Parade

WUFT | By Grace King

Published October 14, 2016 at 8:50 PM EDT

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Albert and Alberta share a float with the UF Dazzlers. (Grace King/WUFT News)

The Gainesville community came out for the annual University of Florida Homecoming Parade on Friday, Oct. 14. Along with the SunTrust Gator Gallop and a festival on campus, the parade kicked off a weekend of festivities culminating with the Gator football game against the University of Missouri Saturday night.

The parade featured a wide-range of UF and community leaders, including local officials such as State Representative Keith Perry, U.S. Representative Ted Yoho, Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, County Commissioner Ken Cornell and Senator Rob Bradley.

Parade-goers also enjoyed appearances by UF mascots Albert and Alberta, performances from local marching bands, cheerleaders and gymnastics groups, and even supporters for both presidential candidates.

Grand Marshal and UAA ambassador Steve Spurrier kicks off the homecoming parade. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe waves to the crowd during the start of the UF Homecoming Parade. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Miss Florida waves at the crowd during the 2016 UF Homecoming Parade. (Grace King/WUFT News) — Miss Florida waves at the crowd. (Grace King/WUFT News)

University of Missouri alum Jason Kloeppel works at UF Shands Hospital. Like his shirt, he and his family are divided on their hopes for tomorrow's game. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Gainesville Police Department officers and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies on University Avenue in 2016. The former is seeking a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help pay for a $3 million body-camera program. (File/WUFT News) — Gainesville Police and Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies ride in formation down University Avenue.(Jordanne Laurito/WUFT News)

University of Florida cheerleaders wave to the crowd from the top of a Gainesville Fire Department truck. (Jordanne Laurito/WUFT News)

Ron Blake has lived in Gainesville since 1965 and has never missed a homecoming parade. This was his 51st parade. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Starlight Pageant contestants wave at the crowds during the parade. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Members of the Hare Krishna movement sing their way down University Avenue during the parade. (Grace King/WUFT News) — Members of the Hare Krishna movement sing their way down University Avenue. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump ride down University Avenue in a limousine during the parade. (Grace King/ WUFT News)

Supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton make their way down University Avenue. (Grace King/ WUFT News)

A group of construction workers take a break to watch the UF Homecoming Parade. (Grace King/WUFT News) — A group of construction workers take a break to watch the parade. (Grace King/WUFT News)

UF alumna Cheryl Granto has been attending the annual UF Homecoming Parade since 1984. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Gainesville Shrine Club members ride down University Avenue in style during the homecoming parade. (Grace King/WUFT News) — Gainesville Shrine Club members ride down University Avenue in style. (Grace King/WUFT News)

Two-year-old Grace Rohan cheers at her first UF Homecoming Parade with her aunt, Harlow Rohan. (Jordanne Laurito/WUFT News)

College students party on a beach-themed float. (Grace King/WUFT News)

College students ride on a jungle-themed float, one of the last of the parade. (Grace King/WUFT News)

(From left to right) A mule, a horse, a man and a dog enjoy homecoming weekend. (Grace King/WUFT News) — (From left to right) A mule, a horse, a man and a dog. Enjoy homecoming weekend! (Grace King/WUFT News)