What began as a local fundraising effort for victims of last week's terrorist attacks has evolved into a weekend event to honor America.

The American Pride Parade and Rally, which will take place on campus and in downtown State College Sunday afternoon, is meant to be a means for the outpouring of support and patriotism that area residents have demonstrated throughout the last week and a half, said Chuck Rider II, the event's co-chairperson.

"This is an event designed to foster unity," Rider said at a press conference Tuesday morning. "This is an opportunity for Centre County residents to express support for the government and demonstrate pride in their country."

The parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. near the intersection of Park Avenue and Bigler Road and will feature local police, fire and ambulance units, area high school marching bands and veterans' groups, as well as members of Penn State's ROTC units and the Blue Band.

The procession will wind through campus on Bigler, Pollock and Shortlidge roads, and onto College Avenue. It then will turn onto Burrowes Road, back onto Pollock, and will end up on Old Main lawn.

After the parade, a 30-minute rally will gather in front of Old Main, where Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.), Penn State President Graham Spanier and Penn State football coach Joe Paterno are scheduled to speak.

Rider said Gov. Tom Ridge and U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) are among others who have been invited to speak at the rally, though as of yet, they have not responded.

Rider, president of Rider Auto Inc., 1703 W. College Ave., said Sunday's festivities are being organized in response to the overwhelming success of a fundraising event at his business Saturday.

That drive, which has raised over $100,000 in cash and supplies for the relief efforts in New York and Washington, D.C., was extended by more than six hours on Saturday due to the influx of donations.

"I can't describe the feeling that it gave me," Rider said. "Half of the people that came in asked, 'What more can I do?' It was an overwhelming success, so much more than we anticipated."

Plans for Sunday's parade and rally have been in the works since last week's fundraiser. Rider said his team of organizers has been working for up to 20 hours a day to bring the event together.

"We need to continue," Rider said. "This is an outlet for people to express their unity."

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the university is happy to participate.

"Penn State has a strong interest in letting people know we care about the victims and families," Mahon said.

"In the coming weeks, we may have students and staff who are called up. This is a chance to show we support them, and it's a chance to show alumni who work on Wall Street and in the Pentagon we're thinking of them."

Mahon said that along with the ROTC and Blue Band involvement, Penn State Police Services will help with public safety along the parade route, and the Office of Physical Plant will provide the sound system for the rally as well as equipment for television coverage.

Local radio personality Steve Jones will be the master of ceremonies at Sunday's rally.

"The feeling of support and patriotism in this county has been incredible in the past several days," Jones said. "An event like this allows people to come together and express that patriotism and support."

Rider said he has no estimate on how many people will participate in Sunday's ceremonies, but said he was hoping for tens of thousands of people.

"We really want to see a good turnout, community-wide and county-wide," Rider said. Parade-goers are encouraged to follow the procession, or go to the Old Main lawn after the parade passes by.

Parking for Sunday's events will be available at the Eisenhower Parking Deck, the Nittany Parking Deck and Lot 44 at the Bryce Jordan Center, according to Penn State's Department of Public Information. Orange A lots on Bigler Road across from East Halls and off Shortlidge Road adjacent to Mitchell Building also will be open.

Rider has asked for participation from Penn State student groups. Any groups interested in joining the parade are asked to call Rider Auto at 814-234-2886.