Before the sun rose over Downtown Houston's skyline, 85 members of the UHD community were busy preparing for their favorite Gator's appearance at the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade. For the third year in a row, a 45-foot-tall Ed-U-Gator, led by a congregation of proud Gators, wow'd the thousands of Houstonians who attented the annual parade. Our beloved human-sized mascot Ed-U-Gator joined in on the fun, accompanied by the university's Gatorettes, new Cheerleading squad, and UHD Alumni Drumline. This year, students in the Student Government Association (SGA) were the banner bearers, led by SGA President Maximilliano Perez. 

If you weren't fortunate enough to attend the parade, keep scrolling for a preview of the big day!

Alligator parade float at the heb thanksgiving day parade in 2025. The balloon is the mascot for the university of houston downtown.

Two adults stand together at the heb thanksgiving day parade. The Ed-U-Gator parade balloon and volunteers from the university of houston-downtown stand behind them.

Members of the womens volleyball team stand with University Relations Assistant Vice President Debra McGaughey

overhead perspective of edugator balloon and parade volunteers from the university of houston downtown

Ed-U-Gator parade balloon, adults holding a University of Houston-Downtown banner, and a Cat in the Hat parade balloon at the heb thanksgiving day parade

mascot edugator shakes hands with the crowd at the heb thanksgiving day parade

The University of Houston Downtown gatorettes perform at the heb thanksgiving day parade

parade volunteers, drumline, and university cheerleaders at the thanksgiving day parade in downtown houston

Cheerleaders at the university of houston downtown perform at the parade

Members of the University of Houston Downtown community hold a banner that reads "University of Houston-Downtown" during the HEB Thanksgiving Day Parade

UHD staff, students, and faculty pose with Edugator at the heb thanksgiving day parade