Penn State alumni flocked to State College from far and wide the weekend of Oct. 20, 2000, to celebrate the final Homecoming celebration of the millennium, proving that "The Legacy Lives On."

Thousands of students, alumni and residents lined the streets of State College Friday night to watch local organizations show their Penn State pride in the Homecoming Parade. The parade had approximately 240 entries, including floats, bands, politicians, dancers and community leaders. A display of multi-colored fireworks sprinkled the sky above the HUB/Robeson Center as the final entry, the Penn State Blue Band, marched down College Avenue and continued for 20 minutes.

Representatives from The Daily Collegian appeared twice during the event. Patricia Tisak of Tampa, Fla., 2000-2001 editor in chief, and Francine Sadiky of Yardley, Pa., 2000-2001 business manager, were honored for being leaders in the Penn State community and rode in a red BMW roadster convertible. They placed a cardboard cutout of Joe Paterno between them.

"It's nice that they recognize Penn State students for contributing to the University," Sadiky said.

This marks the second year Collegian executives have been recognized among Penn State leaders in the parade.

Staff members of the News and Business divisions joined to represent the Collegian later in the parade. Members, wearing matching t-shirts, walked beside two Collegian vans decorated with blue and white streamers, balloons and signs. They distributed candy and copies of the Illinois Stadium Issue of Collegian Magazine to onlookers.

"It was a good chance to show pride for the Collegian and show people there are faces behind the bylines in the paper," said Alison Kepner, a junior majoring in journalism from Maytown, Pa.

Following the parade, a pep rally and candlelight vigil took place on the steps of Old Main. The Blue Band, cheerleaders, the Nittany Lion and Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State defensive coordinator and the evening's grand marshal, got the crowd excited for the game against Illinois with familiar chants and fight songs.

Community members and Penn State Lion Ambassadors gathered after the pep rally for the traditional guarding of the Nittany Lion Shrine, where they remained until early morning.

The Nittany Lions wrapped up the Homecoming festivities Saturday with a 39-25 win over the Fighting Illini.