How to Emcee a Homecoming Parade

If you're going to emcee a homecoming parade to make introductions and narrate the action for television, a radio show or the crowd enjoying the event, be prepared so you'll be able to entertain and educate the audience. Consider the following tips when creating your notes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Learn to pronounce the names, discover interesting trivia and find out the grade point averages, interests and aspirations about the homecoming queen and her court so you'll be able to introduce them and make small talk when they appear in the parade.

2. Get background information on all of the bands that will be marching. In addition to determining the name and composer of the pieces that they'll be playing, also find out how many members are in each band, details about their hometowns, any notable awards they've won and interesting information about their director.

3. Have plenty of "filler" information about the school's history, campus, students, teachers and other homecoming events that you'll be able to fall back on if there's a delay in the parade. Ensure you know enough about each float, equestrian group or local celebrity that you'll be able to talk about them at length if the entry stalls in front of you for several minutes.

4. Prepare a few jokes to keep the mood light, but omit anything that may be offensive, off-color or controversial. Remember that the parade entries are the focus of the event and that you're merely there to provide fascinating details about them, not serve as the prime entertainment. Consider running the information you plan to cover by the parade's director to ensure it's appropriate.

5. Practice your introductions, particularly names that are difficult to pronounce, so you'll be able to launch into them smoothly when the parade entry rolls by. Double check your notes against the official parade lineup to be sure they're in the proper order.