By Tiana Nelson, Director of CSU Denver Outreach
As a favorite annual tradition, Colorado State University alumni and friends are invited to watch the CSU Marching Band in the 9NEWS Parade of Lights. CSU’s Marching Band is the only college marching band participating in the parade, scheduled at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 in Denver.
The Parade of Lights relies on community partnerships, said Brea Olson, senior manager of marketing and communications at the Downtown Denver Partnership, which produces the 42-year-old kickoff to the holiday season.
“The Colorado State University Marching Band is a great example of this. A testament to their talent and energy, we often call upon them to kick off the Parade as we did last year,” Olson said. “We always look forward to their participation as a way to engage alumni and our friends in Northern Colorado and bring a special energy and talent to the Parade.”
More than one-quarter of all CSU alumni – nearly 60,000 – live in the Denver Metro Area, and about half of incoming CSU freshmen are from the Denver area. Denver’s role as the economic, population and political hub of the region has strengthened the university’s ongoing involvement in Denver, according to Brett Anderson, vice president of advancement.
“We continue to raise awareness and increase visibility in the Denver metro area, as well as across Colorado,” Anderson said. “This gives us an opportunity to showcase one of our areas of excellence, and we want to take the opportunity to share with people the greatness that is Colorado State University. It’s very important for Colorado State University to be well understood and to be visible to this community.”
Prior to the parade each year, the CSU Alumni Association hosts a reception for more than 200 alumni, family and friends at the CSU Denver Center. Warm beverages and light appetizers are served until guests find their seats on the bleachers for a front-row experience to the parade and the marching band playing the CSU Fight Song as they pass. CSU Alumni Association members can preregister for the parade before Nov. 15.
“The opportunity to gather Colorado State University alumni, friends and family prior to the Parade of Lights is always special,” said Kristi Bohlender, executive director of the CSU alumni association. “The combination of celebrating the season with the Denver community and the CSU Marching Band creates a great environment of Ram pride.”
If you can’t make it to Denver to see the Parade of Lights, support the CSU Marching Band during a hometown parade preview on the streets around the University Center for the Arts on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The preview performance starts on the corner of Mathews and Lake Streets.