Seventy-six trombones may have led the big parade, but it’s probably safe to bet that behind the cornets, reeds, timpani, bassoons and euphoniums were a couple of slick-haired politicians, waving flags and handing out candy.

And after a mix-up worthy of a screwball romantic comedy, the ISU College Republicans will follow in the grand political tradition and have a float in the Veishea parade.

Both the Republicans and the Veishea parade committee mixed up dates for applications and were confused over criteria, but the two sides came together, and all is well.

But after we breathe a collective sigh of relief, it’s interesting to look back at the debate and see just how close we came to an apolitical parade.

Josh Reicks, president of the ISU College Republicans, said the float wouldn’t try to influence public opinion, a criterion Veishea can use to reject floats, according to Daily staff reports.

Veishea isn’t allowed to reject a float just because officials don’t like its political message.

But they can reject a float if they provide another forum for rejected groups to express their messages.

And they’ve done just that. New this year to the “Veishea Village” is a forum for groups who want to sway public opinion and provides an area for student interaction.

“In essence, we’re saying the parade might not be the best venue for those students who are rejected, since their message may not meet the goals of the parade,” said Vernon Wall, assistant dean of students and Veishea faculty adviser.

Josh Reicks, however, said that while the Veishea Village is nice, “[it’s] nothing like the parade.”

“The parade will give us 20 times the exposure and give us the best interaction with students,” he said.

We’re glad Veishea has created a public forum area for students.

But to use that as an excuse for denying entrance into a parade that’s supposed to represent Iowa State, no matter how legal, is to inaccurately reflect the true political activism and diversity which thrives on campus.

Alumni make the pilgrimage back to Ames each year to celebrate Iowa State. Let’s make sure we’re giving them something to celebrate.