With Veishea’s 1997 celebration dawning upon Iowa State, celebration organizers, especially those in charge of the parade, are praying their year-long work won’t be welcomed by rainshowers.

“We have to pray for no rain,” said Josh Hanson, Veishea parade co-chairman.

The parade turnout most likely will be affected by the weather, he said. “It depends on the weather a lot. I’ve heard estimates of anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 [people],” Hanson said.

Last year, cold, rainy weather kept many parade-goers at home, however, this year’s forecast is much brighter.

Brad Edwards, of WOI-TV, said there is a chance of light showers in the forecast for Saturday but it shouldn’t affect the parade.

Hanson said he hopes nice weather will be in order because a lot of work has been done on the floats and other parade entries. About 75 entries, including floats, dignitaries, balloons, bands and specialty units, will make their way through campus, starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

Highlighting this year’s parade will be Grand Marshall Tom Thielen, former vice president of student affairs, and Parade Marshall Dean Beverly Crabtree of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Thielen, who recently retired from his position on Dec. 31, was chosen because of his dedication to both Iowa State and the Veishea festivities, Hanson said. “Dr. Thielen has been in very involved in Veishea.”

Thielen served as chairman of the Veishea Advisory Council for the past four years.

Thielen said being chosen as Grand Marshall is a great honor. “I was very surprised, very pleased and very honored,” he said. The former administrator has been involved in the student-run festivities each of his 20 years at ISU in a supporting and advising role, he said.

“Having it go 75 years makes it very special,” Thielen added. “That makes it all the more special.”

Crabtree’s position and influence for the university community were factors in choosing her as parade marshal. Crabtree, who is retiring June 30, is a “symbol at Iowa State,” Hanson said.

Other dignitaries riding in the parade will be Iowa Congressman Tom Latham, Lieutenant Gov. Joy Corning, Ames Mayor Larry Curtis and ISU President Martin Jischke.

Although these people are important symbols for ISU and the state, the floats are the highlight of many students’ parade watching.

Eight traditional floats, self-powered by people under the float, and 13 nontraditional floats pulled by pick-up trucks will roll along the parade route. Hanson said floats will be rated by professors and past Veishea committee members for their artistic qualities and themes. In addition, engineers will score the structure of the self-powered traditional floats, Hanson added.

Because this year’s Veishea theme focuses on the celebration’s 75th anniversary, traditional floats represent parades of the past. Also a part of past celebrations will be a nontraditional float with past Veishea queens on it, Hanson said.

Entertainment will be provided for the kid in everyone by three giant balloons similar to those in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades. “Odie” the dog of Garfield fame will be carried by Alpha Gamma Rho and Triangle fraternities. The Student Alumni Association will hold down “Froggy Goes A Courtin'” and “Smokey the Bear” will make his appearance because of the efforts of residents in Oak-Elm Halls.

Parade goers will also get a chance to see the ISU Pep Band and Alumni Band, the Ames High School Band, the pom squad, Team PrISUm’s solar car, the ISU Drum Line and KCCQ’s Boombox Band, among others.

All the floats, dignitaries, bands, balloons and other attractions will follow a campus parade route that goes from Pammel Drive, then between Lagomarcino and Kildee Halls to Osborn Drive, and then onto Morrill Road past Parks Library, Beardshear Hall and the Memorial Union, Hanson said.

Hanson said the parade will be televised as it proceeds by the MU. Even though he’s hoping for nice weather, Hanson said the parade will “probably march on for the television. We pretty much have to go on with it.”