UF celebrates annual Homecoming and Gator Growl 

Oct 6, 2023 11:00 pm
The IRHA float at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
The IRHA float at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow

The University of Florida celebrated its annual homecoming parade on Friday and Gator Growl on Thursday.   

It marked the 100th year of the Homecoming and Gator Growl, which kicked off Thursday night with singer Jason Derulo performing at the Stephen O’Connell Center. Sammy Adams opened for Derulo and Johnny Townsend, who played football for the Florida Gators as the punter from 2013-17, hosted the event.   

On Friday morning, the day started with the Gator Gallop as students and members of the Gainesville community ran a two-mile fun run through campus.   

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At noon, crowds gathered for the UF Homecoming Parade traveled north along SW 13th Street next to the UF Campus and turned right onto W. University Avenue  

The UF Homecoming Parade starts at noon and runs north along SW 13th Street next to the UF campus and turns right onto W. University Avenue.    

Kids beating the Gator Band drum at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Kids beating the Gator Band drum at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
University of Florida mascots Alberta and Albert Gator in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow University of Florida mascots Alberta and Albert Gator in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Players from the Florida Gators football team in a float at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Players from the Florida Gators football team in a float at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
The Florida Gators marching band at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow The Florida Gators marching band at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
The Shriners followed by the Eastside High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow The Shriners followed by the Eastside High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Spectators at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Spectators at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Gainesville High School cheerleaders in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Gainesville High School cheerleaders in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Miss Gainesville 2023 Alexandra de Roos and Miss Gainesville Teen 2023 Amelia Grace McDonough at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Miss Gainesville 2023 Alexandra de Roos and Miss Gainesville Teen 2023 Amelia Grace McDonough at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Miss Florida Juliette Valle in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Miss Florida Madison Pedreiro in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
The Buchholz High School marching band in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow The Buchholz High School marching band in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Florida's first black football players Leonard George (23) and Willie Jackson Sr. (22) in UF's Homecoming Parade on Friday. (1)
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Florida’s first black football players Leonard George (23) and Willie Jackson Sr. (22) in UF’s Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Spectators enjoy the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Spectators enjoy the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
A member of the Associacao Resgate Cultural group at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow A member of the Associacao Resgate Cultural group at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
The Eastside High School marching band in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow The Eastside High School marching band in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Sun Country Sports gymnasts at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Sun Country Sports gymnasts at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Latino dancers at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Latino dancers at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
A lady walking on stilts waves to the crowd at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow A lady walking on stilts waves to the crowd at the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
A Woman Life Freedom lady walking in the UF Homecoming Parade on Friday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow A woman carries a flag representing the global solidarity movement affirming rights for women in Iran and beyond.

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  • C.J. Gish

    C.J. Gish is the senior editor for Mainstreet Daily News. He is a Pacific Northwest transplant who grew up in Oregon and moved to Florida in 2018. C.J. has spent more than 30 years in media, public relations and marketing, including stints as a newspaper reporter, working at two TV stations (FOX and ABC) in Boise, and as a media specialist for Eastern Oregon University. C.J. enjoys sports, especially the NFL and NBA, and is the father to three amazing adult children. Send story ideas to editor@mainstreetdailynews.com

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John Robert

Just wanted to say, Great Photos! Love, the variety of representation.

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