NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s Centennial Homecoming 2012 will feature a week full of activities for students, alumni and the community September 23-29 including the traditional Homecoming Parade.
For this special celebration, the University has made adjustments to the parade route to accommodate more and larger floats, and to ensure the safety of all those in attendance. The changes were necessary in anticipation of larger crowds to provide a safe environment for all including those in the parade, spectators and the community.
The parade is slated to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 29. For 2012 only, the parade will begin at Walter S. Davis Boulevard near the Gentry Complex, turn right onto Ed Temple Boulevard, make another right onto John Merritt Boulevard, turn left onto 33rd Avenue and end at Albion Street.
“Homecoming is a special community event and I am very pleased a solution was found that will help ensure safety for parade participants and parade-goers,” said Dr. Portia Shields, TSU President. “This is our Centennial Homecoming, a celebration of 100 years of faithful service, first to the community, the state and now the world. We believe the new route will be just as lively and fun as the old route for spectators, only safer.”
Nashville city officials say the new route will help them better control the crowds because streets on the new route are wider and will be more room in the event where emergency vehicles are needed to respond.
According to TSU officials, last year’s parade drew an estimated crowd of 50,000. With the event held earlier this year in September and because of the Centennial Celebration, officials are bracing for double that amount.
“This parade will be larger and more attended than any other Homecoming parade,” said TSU Police Chief Richard Briggance. The route is still the same length. It’s just giving more room to move up and down the street, and for spectators to be safely on the sides.”
A committee of University, Nashville officials and community members had recommended changes to the route as early as 2009 when some in the community expressed concerns over the safety of the current route. The committee recommended the route changes, and will be implemented only for the 2012 parade.
“The committee members are to be commended for their great work,” said Briggance. “They invested a great deal of time and thoughtful consideration to identify a resolution to promote safety, community, and culture during the annual homecoming parade.”
Department of Media Relations
Rick DelaHaya: 615.963.5312
Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university and is a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as the Number One University in the state by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912 Tennessee State University celebrates 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
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