Homecoming parade to make a return this Friday

It has been several years since Manchester High School has hosted a homecoming parade, but this once-popular tradition is making a comeback on Friday evening, October 12.

To top off a very full Spirit Week and prepare for Friday night’s homecoming festivities, the parade will begin at 5 pm at the corner of Main and Clinton Streets. Parade entries will include the fire department, Sheriff’s office, sports teams, the homecoming court, youth football and other community recreation participants, and more.

“As a district, we are trying to re-infuse school spirit and foster stronger relationships with the community,” said MCS Superintendent Nick Steinmetz in a letter to Village Council last week, requesting permission to hold the parade. “We have a tremendous group of students and community members that want to help us promote school spirit.”

The parade staging will occur in the parking lot of Andrews Family Chiropractic office on the corner of Main and Clinton. At 5:00 the parade will head eastward on Main Street, continue to Woodland Way, up to Dutch Drive, and finally arrive at the athletic complex via the bus loop.

Manchester Community Schools Spirit Days, (October 8-12), will be held this week with Monday being Tropical Day, Tuesday is Frat Day, Wednesday Meme Day, Blackout Day will be Thursday and of course, Dutch Day on Friday.

On Wednesday, October 10, there will be a Powder Puff Football game at approximately 6:30 pm at the football field (immediately following the middle school game). This game, featuring the Junior girls vs. Senior girls, is another long-standing Homecoming Week tradition.

On Friday, a pep assembly will be held during school for all students in grades 7-12, to rev up for an evening of fun! The varsity football game will start at 7 pm vs. Hanover, with the half-time show highlighting the MHS Band and introducing the grades 9-12 Homecoming court.

The game will be followed by the homecoming dance, which will start about 9 pm, and end at 11:30 pm.

“We are excited to have the school district, community groups, and community members a part of this event!” Steinmetz concluded.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.