Ramblin' Reck Parade Photographs

The Georgia Tech Ramblin' Reck Parade, a long-standing Tech Homecoming tradition, is sponsored by the Ramblin' Reck Club. The parade originates from an automobile road race created in 1929 by the Technique to determine which Tech student had the best old car. This race, which ran from Atlanta to Athens, was known as the "Old Ford Race" or the "Flying Flivver Race." However, after only a few years, it was considered too dangerous and the Ramblin' Reck Parade was conceived as a safer alternative.

Entrants in the first Ramblin' Reck Parade in 1932 were judged on the costumes of the characters, originality of the act or stunt, and the decrepitude of the car. For many decades, the prize was a brass or gold-plated gaboon (spittoon). This was engraved with the name of the winner and kept on display in the trophy case at the Y.M.C.A.

In the 1950s, entrance requirements stated that the wrecks must be run on their own motive power for the entire parade and no "obscene, seamy, or profane effects" were allowed. It was also noted that the entrants were supposed to be "real wrecks and not floats." [Technique 12 October 1951, page 1]

By 2000, the parade had three separate categories for entries: classic car, fixed body (floats), and contraption. Judging for the contraption entries is based upon integrity, originality, appearance, operational functionality, creativity, time, and a written presentation which describes any special effects or history of the entry. Winners are now awarded a monetary prize.