To the smallest of onlookers, the annual University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Homecoming Parade is their first chance to see a community of leaders and performers in motion.
Stephanoe Wilks of Pine Bluff had his niece Tempiris, 1, with him. Tempiris’ mother, Wilks said, helps with the 34th Avenue Elementary Band drill team.
“All this stuff, she’s never even seen any of this stuff,” Wilks said, watching Pine Bluff Police Officer Deondre Goodwin add to Tempiris’ candy haul. “It’s a lot going on down here, so she’s just trying to take it all in.”
This year’s parade, amid a warming trend on a Saturday morning, was the first with UAPB Chancellor Anthony Graham at the helm. Perry Stuckey, the man who led the search committee that identified Graham as the top candidate earlier this year, served as grand marshal.
The parade route went up Main Street from 15th Avenue to Sixth and terminated on Convention Center drive for the second year in a row, putting the longstanding background of the Jefferson County Courthouse further in the rear view. The purpose of gathering of alumni, friends and even longtime coworkers did not change.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“It’s like being at one of our old games; you see everybody, get to fellowship and get to have fun,” said Yolanda Prim, a retired Dollarway High School principal who drove from Forney, Texas, for the parade. “That’s what I enjoy by being here in Pine Bluff for UAPB homecoming.”
University Drive was busy even 3 hours before the 2 p.m. kickoff between UAPB and Houston’s Westgate Christian University. RVs and tailgate tents had long lined the east parking lot.
Diamon Ellis of Kansas City, Mo., and Jerry Sands III of DeSoto, Texas, rode with their Royal Court as Miss and Mr. UAPB. Kamra “Kami” Mays Thompson and Frank D. Dorsey II were honored as UAPB Alumni Queen and King.
