Back in the day, there were up to fifteen high school bands in the parade. Some of these were very small bands -- like Carthage-Troy, Rome-Canaan, Albany, etc. These schools don't exist any more and have been consolidated into larger schools. Back in the day they also had a band day at Peden. So, I don't really accept any of the excuses proffered in this thread. I suspect that it's just plain disorganization on the part of the planners of the Homecoming Parade. Inviting and coordinating things with SEO bands is just not a priority. Heck, how can you watch this abomination of a parade and think there was any real planning that went into it. [Yes, I haven't attended in years, but family members have, and I've gotten reports each year. This year I was told it was the worst ever.]

Is that who those old guys were? I thought they might have been an alumni group or sweepstakes winners, something like that. (I was watching the game in a bar, so I couldn’t hear the commentators/sound.) thanks for clarifying!

Supposedly, the high school bands stopped coming because of the drunk vulgar college students in front of bars on north Court street. However, the parade route changed 5 years ago, so why aren't high school bands back?

Also, the reasoning behind no floats allowed now was supposedly because a kid ran in front of one to pick up candy and nearly got ran over. Most parade committees would ban tossing candy and require candy to be handed out. McDavis just bans floats altogether.

Wasn't disputing that, just making a commentary on the poor organization of the Homecoming Parade, and the fact that back then they had a number of high school bands both at Band Day in Peden and in the Homecoming Parade. Those are not mutually exclusive options.

Thanks for the lesson on conspiracy theories.  Next thing we know you'll be telling us that Ted Cruz's father was involved in the Kennedy assassination.