The Homecoming Parade starting at 6 p.m. today is one of the main highlights of the University's 93rd Homecoming celebration, which takes place this weekend.

The parade will start at Sixth Street and Taft Drive, go through Campustown, and turn south on Mathews Avenue to the end of the Quad. A precise route of the parade can be found on the Homecoming Web site, http://www.uiuc.edu/homecoming/index.htm.

Ginny Sherman, secretary of the University's band department, said the entire Marching Illini and part of the Marching Illini Alumni Band will be performing together, totalling about 400 people.

This year 195 alumni will be performing, but not all will be marching in the parade, Sherman said. Instead, some will be rehearsing for a half-time drill performance for the football game tomorrow.

This is an extra opportunity for those who want to be in the drill, said Peggy Billing, chairman of the Homecoming Committee for the Alumni Band.

One 87-year-old alumnus has played in the Homecoming Parade every year since 1933, Billing said. Unfortunately, he lives in Florida and can't make it this year.

"The reason we get together is because we love the band so much," Billing said.

This year's parade is especially exciting for Billing because she can play the trumpet alongside her freshman daughter.

While the band makes the music, the parade wouldn't be the same without the colorful floats of the different campus groups.

Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity worked all day Wednesday, Oct. 22, on the construction of a storage shed that will become their Homecoming float. After the parade, the shed will go to one of their sites.

Jen Plecki, Habitat for Humanity Homecoming director, said the shed will feature a roof, logos and a theme, all blue and orange.

"It's school spirit. People see it and know who we are," Plecki said.

Other organizations to display floats include College Republicans, Garcia's Pizza, Rodeo Club, Alpha Delta Pi sorority and Sigma Phi Delta fraternity, adding up to about 20 to 30 floats, said Lisa Moore, assistant director of Greek Life.

They will be judged before the parade takes place based on their creativity and incorporation of the theme, "Always an Illini." The winner will be announced and presented a trophy at the pep rally.

Immediately following the parade at 7 p.m., the pep rally will start on the Quad. It will feature the Fighting Illini football team and other campus groups.

The Illini Union Board Homecoming Variety Show will follow the pep rally in Foellinger Auditorium, 709 S. Mathews Avenue, with a $4 admission fee.