This year's Homecoming parade may be greeted by a different crowd than usual at the end of its run downtown.
Because of the four-day, 10-hour workweek recently implemented by the city of Gainesville, many city employees won't be at their downtown offices when the parade goes by.
City spokesman Bob Woods said he thought employees would still make it out to the parade.
"We're expecting a typical Homecoming weekend," Woods said. "There's a possibility that the crowd may, in fact, be larger."
Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, who is supposed to be in the parade, said she thought employees would still come even if they weren't already downtown.
Hanrahan said many have welcomed the city's schedule change, especially when it means they can attend activities like the parade with their children. Others are still adjusting to the four-day workweek, she said.
Woods said only the administrative staff of the city has the day off. The Public Works Department, which includes waste management, will be on-hand throughout the day to help with the parade, along with the police and fire departments.
"We're proud to support the university, and we'll continue to do that as we always have," he said.
