In the midst of a record-breaking snowfall, Homecoming officials assure the parade will go on tonight -- rain, snow or shine.
But the weather has affected some aspects of the Homecoming celebration. The pep rally has been moved from its traditional setting on Old Main lawn to HUB Alumni Hall and will begin immediately after the parade.
"We've taken all the precautions, and we're ready and excited," said Anna Sofio, 2009 Homecoming public relations chairwoman.
Bill Syrett, manager of Penn State's weather observatory, said the last time State College saw snow this early was Oct. 17, 1977, when an inch of snowfall was recorded.
The snow will pose only minor issues to homecoming travelers this weekend, said Aaron Tyburski, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. Tyburski said he expected the heaviest snow to fall Thursday afternoon -- likely resulting in half an inch of snow coating grassy surfaces, cars and trees.
"The main issue for Homecoming will just be the cold weather and being uncomfortable outside during the event," he said.
Syrett said he anticipates the precipitation to be light during tonight's parade -- not enough to make the roads slippery.
"It won't be nice, but it won't be terrible," Syrett said.
The university is prepared for any weather situation, said Office of Physical Plant (OPP) spokesman Paul Ruskin. More than 350 staff members are prepared to "jump into snow-removal mode," and salt supplies are ready and waiting.
OPP released a snow-loading warning Thursday and asked students to be cautious when walking near trees. The unusually early storm means snow will stick to leaves and put pressure on tree branches to the point that they may fall, Ruskin said.
The University Park Airport had two canceled inbound flights Thursday because of the inclement weather, a University Park Airport agent said. One flight was forced to divert and land in Harrisburg and the other had been canceled earlier from Philadelphia, she said.
The weather, however, will not stop Homecoming.
All of the organizations participating in tonight's parade are prepared for the possibility of rain or snow during the parade, and they are still pomping their floats -- just with tarps on top, Sofio (senior-public relations) said.
The parade will follow its usual course, beginning on Bigler Road at 6 p.m., continuing to Pollock Road and on to Shortlidge Road, then moving on to College Avenue and ending on Burrowes Road.
Bundled parade-goers can expect the traditional Homecoming parade, Sofio said, complete with the Homecoming Court riding on convertibles and floats designed by various organizations around campus.
Each float will have a different theme, Sofio said. Some of this year's themes include "Nightmare Before Homecoming," and classic Disney films like Toy Story and Beauty and the Beast.
Blue Sapphire P.J. Maierhofer and the Penn State Majorettes will walk in the parade along with the Penn State Juggling Club and other campus organizations.
"I'm ecstatic," Sofio said. "We've been preparing for the last 10 months, and we're ready to celebrate Penn State."
Meghan McGinty contributed to this report.
