The Perry High School Homecoming Parade 2017 was, by all accounts, a big hit, both with all the entrants and with the large crowd which turned out to watch the display of school spirit.
King and Queen candidates were given places of honor in the procession. The winners will be crowned tonight at 8 p.m. in the PHS gym during a pep rally and ceremony. A bonfire will follow immediately afterward at the Perry Athletic Complex.
Sponsored by the Perry Chamber of Commerce, the parade featured both the Perry Middle School band and the PHS Blue Brigade, with the Bluejay football team walking the route.
The volleyball team was represented, as was Skills USA. PACES, several church youth groups and a variety of local businesses and clubs who also took part in the fun. Each class in the high school had students marching along, and each had floats in the parade, all playing off the official theme of “Safari on the Savannah.”
A freewill offering was accepted at a barbeque on Warford St. just east of Second St. with proceeds going to the junior class prom committee. The meal proved quite popular, with a line 50-deep for the better part of 30 minutes. While some ate, the Bluejay gridders signed team posters, footballs and t-shirts outside Raccoon Valley Bank. The public was asked to vote for their favorite class float by placing a Skittles candy in one of four mason jars, with members of each class standing by and urging a vote for their float.
When the voting was done it was determined the seniors would taste the rainbow and the honors for “Best Float” with the juniors finishing as runner-up, followed by the sophomores and the freshmen.
A brief pep rally was held on a stage erected on Warford St. to conclude the activities.
Perry will play No. 5 DC-G Friday. The last time a fifth-ranked team visited Dewey Field was nearly six years ago to the day, with Perry stunning Newton, 21-7, proving the old adage that “on any given day …” The frosh/soph game will kick off at 4:45 p.m. with the varsity contest to follow.
