CU celebrates homecoming with parade, tailgating

Cumberland University celebrated its homecoming festivities Saturday with a pregame parade down the streets of Lebanon and a tailgate.
The parade included members of the Nashville Corvette Club as well as cars from the Mt. Juliet Drive-In Club. Also featured was a float competition with entrants from Cumberland's various student organizations.
"The parade went real well," Cumberland Student Activities Board member Jennifer Bush said. "It's the best parade participation we've had in a while."
Bush busied herself by handing out homecoming shirts to the students before the kickoff.
"It's been a very stressful week," she added. "It's fun, but I'll be glad when it's over."
Not all of the parade participants were quite as stressed. Greenbriar residents Linda and Bob Huff drove their car in the procession before attending the tailgate festivities.
"It's been a fun day," Linda said as she enjoyed her meal under the large tent set up behind the football field. "The weather has been great."
The food for the hungry students and guests was served up by Sudexo Dining, which provides the meals in Cumberland's Phillips Dining Hall.
This week's menu included Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, roasted corn and cobbler.
Students on a meal plan through the university get plates for free and visitors can eat for $5. A representative of Sudexo noted the list of students with meal plans included over 300 names. The food is available for each Cumberland home game.
The homecoming was topped off with the crowning of the new queen, Ashley Pearsall, during halftime of the Bulldogs victory over West Virginia Tech.