BY LUCIE KRISMAN and RILEY WILSON
With the possibility of stormy weather, students were in and out of Cara Kimberlin's office all day Wednesday hoping for updates about the homecoming parade.
"The parade is a big deal for our kids," said Kimberlin, the Eudora High School activities director. “The band loves marching in it. The kids love riding on the floats. We just want to do everything we can to make sure the parade portion and the pep rally down here gets to go."
Eudora High School's 2019 homecoming parade marched on despite the chance of rain and the earlier storms. The parade ended with a pep rally that included each of the fall sports teams and performances by the Eudora High School cheer and dance teams.
Lifelong Eudora resident and Eudora High School alumna Elizabeth Rowland said the pep rally is a welcome addition to the homecoming parade.
"I think it's great," Rowland said. "I liked how each sport got to talk."
Eudora High School senior Jake Boucher said the homecoming parade is a great source of spirit halfway through the week's festivities.
"It gets everyone excited for the homecoming week," Boucher said. "We're already through it a little, but we're excited for the game on Friday, too."
As his last homecoming parade as a Eudora Cardinal approached, he said he enjoys throwing candy to the kids as the football float passes.
“My favorite thing is all the kids on the way there who are just wanting candy and we just throw it to them,” Boucher said.
Throughout the parade, candy flew from each float for children and parade-watchers to catch. Eudora resident Rachel Campbell said seeing the excitement of the children is her favorite part of the homecoming festivities.
"I have kids in the schools, so it's fun watching them dress up for each day and looking forward to this parade," Campbell said. "I really enjoy the spirit week."
The familiar sounds of drums, tubas, and other instruments kicked off the parade, led by director of bands Damian Johnson.
Johnson said planning for homecoming week is probably the busiest week of the year for the band. He said this week is the time he felt the band has reached the cohesive unit they’ve been working on achieving all year.
“This is a good day today,” Johnson said.
His favorite part of homecoming is the camaraderie with current students and catching up with graduated students who returned for the parade and pep rally. He said the different kinds of people in attendance indicate what Wednesday night’s festivities do for the community.
“There might be people here who don’t have kids involved in the school, but maybe they did in years past and they’re all still here,” Johnson said.
As the festivities carried on, young Eudora Cardinals watched the parade and pep rally with eager eyes.
Some young Cardinals wore tiny football jersey while others wore big bows in their hair with pom poms in hand. Eudora kindergartener Cadence Gaultney said she’s excited to someday be in the parade.
“When I turn bigger, and I get in the parade, I’m going to hand my sister some candy,” Gaultney said.
Kimberlin said Eudora’s focus on its kids and its programs keeps the tradition of the parade going each year.
"It's always here. People know where it's going to be and where the route is going to be," Kimberlin said. "The kids love it, the community loves it, and that's what's important to me."
This year’s homecoming festivities conclude with the Friday football game against Ottawa, nomination of homecoming king and queen, and a school dance.
Reach reporter Lucie Krisman at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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