The town of Mount Vernon came together during the homecoming parade, lining the streets to celebrate Mount Vernon High School’s homecoming week. The parade kicked off on Thursday Sept. 26 at 6 p.m and served as a recognition for activities and students at Mount Vernon high school.
The homecoming parade commenced with the Marching Mustangs blasting the fight song, followed by the homecoming court candidates in stylish convertibles and Mount Vernon High School alumni in the Mount Vernon High School 50 year reunion float. The parade included unique floats with various Mount Vernon sports and activities: the volleyball team, the cheer squad, the football team, both powderpuff teams, and the cross country team— each with their own appearance for the parade. While the volleyball team decided on a bold and creative neon splatter look for the parade, the football team kept their traditional uniforms. Each float uniquely encapsulated the spirit of the teams and displayed it for the entire town of Mount Vernon to admire.
One notable difference about this year’s parade was that it featured a new route that was nearly double the length of previous parades. The parade commenced at Washington Elementary School, traveled through 3rd Avenue, College Boulevard, and then through the Stonebrook housing community, ending at the Lester Buresh Community Center. All in all, the parade was around a whopping 2 miles long. Mya Stoner, a member of the marching band, said that although the parade did not pass through Main Street, “It was really cool seeing all the community lined up on College Boulevard.” Stoner also said she enjoyed traveling through Stonebrook, as many students and families live there.
The homecoming parade contained many memorable moments. For Stoner, the highlight of the parade was when band director Scott Weber marched with the Marching Mustangs during the parade. Cora Smith, a member of the cross country team, also had favorite moments of the parade. Smith said, “I liked eating candy and giving it to kids.” Smith also said she enjoyed seeing the various members of the community lined up to view the parade. All in all, the parade created many memorable moments for students and viewers alike.
Something that made the homecoming parade especially significant was that it brought the community together to join in on the joys of homecoming. “[The parade] brings the community together in times of celebration,” commented Stoner. Overall, the homecoming parade served as a valuable celebration for the Mount Vernon community and was a highlight of the homecoming week.
