From the October 18, 1962 edition of The Wayne Herald
Berry Hall parade float fire, winners at Homecoming
Wayne State's 1962 homecoming is history now, and probably it will rank among the most elaborate and successful in the annuals.
It had all the usual features plus a few new ones too, ranging from many stunts to serious business- and with a fire to make it livelier.
One fire was on the schedule, the traditional pep rally bonfire Thursday night. But another fire provided the excitement. One of the parade floats took flame in front of the football crowd.
It happened during pre-game ceremonies as the prize-winning floats were towed before the stadium. Berry Hall's first-place entry, depicting a river steamboat with rotating paddlewheel and smoking stacks, had moved right in front of the stands when a smoke bomb got out of controland suddenly about eight students came tumbling off the flaming float while onlookers rushed to detach the tow car.
Spectator astonishment turned to amusement then as Master of Ceremonies Marlin Nielsen quipped: "That's the hottest parade entry we've ever had!"
In more serious tenor, WSC's score mounted to 31-0 over Chadron. Also, Ardis Halleen, in front of about 3,800 spectators, was crowned queen of Wayne State's homecoming.
