MTSU students, staff, alumni and supporters got into the groove Saturday, Oct. 18, for the Homecoming 2014 celebration, culminating in a riveting 34-22 win over the University of Alabama-Birmingham at Floyd Stadium.

The “Raiderstock” homecoming theme brought out the best in the Blue Raiders’ artistic talents, too, as floats featured 1960s psychedelic designs — all making use of the “True Blue” motto — and the award-winning Band of Blue incorporated Motown, movies and more from the era.

You can watch a video from Saturday’s parade above.

The party began at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at MTSU’s Alumni House on Middle Tennessee Boulevard, one of the prime spots to view the Homecoming Parade, with the “Mixer on Middle.”

The parade, which began on Maney Avenue and headed down East Main Street to Middle Tennessee Boulevard to end at Greenland Drive, included a large contingent of “Baby Raiders” along with dozens of campus organizations — their members clad in ’60s-era costumes — and the 2014 parade grand marshal, alumnus Joey Jacobs (Class of ’75).

Alumni  Chip Walters (Class of ’85), “the voice of the Blue Raiders,” and Heather Jensen (Class of ’99), a community relations officer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, served as enthusiastic announcers for the parade.

Mixer on Middle also served as a prelude to the homecoming tailgate lunch in Walnut Grove, which drew hundreds to the central area for food, fun and celebrating before the 2:30 p.m. game kickoff.

Playing before a crowd of 18,717, the Blue Raiders’ success over UAB put their record to 4-0 at home this season. They’re now within one more win of becoming bowl-eligible for the sixth time in nine seasons under head coach Rick Stockstill.

At halftime, MTSU recognized the “Golden Raiders” Class of 1964 as well as the MTSU Alumni Association’s 2014-15 honorees, which include Vernice Armour, Ashley Elizabeth Graham Dr. E. Ray Philips, Dr. Linda Gilbert, Donald McDonald and Matthew Little. You can read more about the alumni honorees here.

Officials also announced the 2014 Homecoming Queen and King at halftime: Murfreesboro natives Kelley Benson, a senior organizational communication major, and Jonathan Gandy, a junior majoring in management and marketing. Previous homecoming queens and kings aided in the coronation of the two new honorees, who were chosen during the Student Government Association elections Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

MTSU’s Band of Blue peps up the crowd watching the 2014 Homecoming Parade along Middle Tennessee Boulevard Oct. 18. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

One of the littlest Blue Raiders, almost 1-year-old Amarie Carbine, rides in style as her mom and dad, MTSU alumni Ashley Ramsay and Chris Carbine, do the driving in the “Baby Raiders” contingent of MTSU’s 2014 Homecoming Parade Oct. 18. (MTSU photo by Darby Campbell)

The MTSU Band of Blue’s drum line gets happy during the 2014 Homecoming Parade Oct. 18. Facing the lens from left to right are Andrew Chunn, Tyelen Gibbs and Sam Brown, while John Mullins and Nathan Harris can be seen over Brown’s shoulder. (MTSU photo by Darby Campbell)

The Sigma Nu, Zeta Tau Alpha and Sigma Pi Greek organizations team up for a colorful “Raiderstock” float in MTSU’s 2014 Homecoming Parade Oct. 18. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU supporters relax and visit during the 2014 homecoming tailgate lunch in Walnut Grove Oct. 18 before the football game against the University of Alabama-Birmingham. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) Oct. 18

Blue Raider offensive linemen Josh Chester, center left, and Daniel Stephens, push back against a pair of University of Alabama-Birmingham players during MTSU’s 34-22 homecoming win over the Blazers Oct. 18. (MTSU photo courtesy of GoBlueRaiders.com)

The Homecoming 2014 crowd at Floyd Stadium watches with concern as MTSU’s Blue Raiders work to regain their footing against the University of Alabama-Birmingham in the Oct. 18 homecoming game. MTSU was reinvigorated during the fourth quarter and came from behind to defeat UAB 34-22. (MTSU photo courtesy of GoBlueRaiders.com)

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, right, and first lady Liz McPhee, center right, congratulate MTSU’s new homecoming king and queen, Jonathan Gandy and Kelley Benson, during halftime at the Oct. 18 game in Floyd Stadium. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

You can see more photos from MTSU’s Homecoming 2014 festivities here.