What is "snake dance"

1. n. a group advancing in a single-file serpentine path

2. a ceremonial dance (as by the Hopi) in which snakes are handled or invoked

Snake dance is a term used to refer to a parade before or during a high school or college homecoming or related event like a football game. The parade includes floats built by each high school class, marching bands, students, and alumni. Snake dance may also be more narrowly used to describe the student parade, line of students celebrating, or a celebratory parade. It usually starts in a central business district or school location and ends with an evening bonfire and pep rally near the school. "Snake" refers to a line of students and "snake dance" is a traditional term. The University of Northern Iowa archives refer to snake dance as early as 1922. A 1911 Associated Press dispatch covering Philadelphia fans celebrating the Philadelphia Athletics victory in Game 2 of the 1911 World Series reported, "Staid business and professional men joined their office boys and ragged urchins in a snake dance around city hall".

A snake dance is a parade before or during a high school or college homecoming event.

Snake dance or Snakedance may also refer to:

• Snakedance, a 1983 Doctor Who TV serial
• "Snake Dance", a song by Hawkwind from Electric Tepee
• "Snake Dance", a song by The March Violets
• "Snake Dance", a song by Monster Magnet from Monster Magnet
• "SnakeDance", a song by Ooberman from Hey Petrunko
• "Snakedance", a song by The Rainmakers
• "Snake Dance", a song by World Entertainment War
• A dance performed by a dancer using a snake as a prop. See Odette Valery.