The annual First Friday Parade is back and ready to open up the home football season in full swing. Set to take place on Sept. 11, fans, students, staff, alumni and the local community can expect the parade to start at 6 p.m. sharp at Douthit Hills Hub. Campus and community organizations march all the way down Highway 93, past Historic Riggs Field, ending at the Lower Intramural Field, lasting around an hour in total.
To pay homage to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, this year’s parade will offer some special tributes. Clemson military groups will be the first to march as a way to honor the day. Retired U.S. Army Col. Eddy Morehead ‘77, who worked at the Pentagon at the time of the tragedy, will also be participating this year and marching alongside Clemson Corps. Col. Morehead will be offering closing remarks at the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb taking place at Littlejohn Coliseum earlier in the day.
This year’s grand marshals are Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell. The husband-and-wife duo currently serve as the co-head coaches of Clemson Gymnastics. They are marshalling the parade following a successful first season, leading the Tigers to their first ACC Gymnastics championship.
“Being able to see all of the student organizations consistently be excited about participating and just wanting to get back out there and do it again for another year has been really good to see,” said Brooke Livingston, a junior criminal justice major serving as this year’s First Friday director for Central Spirit. “The community always really comes together to support the University and everything that we’re doing. I think the First Friday Parade is a visual representation of that.”
Spectators can watch along Highway 93 from Bowman Field, Sikes Hall and the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business for the best views.
Following the parade, Clemson Men’s Soccer hosts Notre Dame in its home opener at 7 p.m. at Historic Riggs Field. Also, at 7 p.m., Clemson Volleyball takes on South Carolina at Jervey Gym.
