As colorful floats glided down the streets of downtown Utica, the air buzzed with excitement during the Homecoming Parade on October 4 at 4:00pm. Spectators lined the sidewalks, gathering candy and cheering as local teams and organizations displayed their spirit, walking in a festive march ending at Utica High School. This beloved tradition set the stage for an unforgettable homecoming weekend, to be shared among students, families, and the rest of the community.

Organizing this valued tradition required significant effort and collaboration from community members.

“With planning the parade there was a lot of stuff to do,” senior Carley Davis said, “such as emailing community members and teachers, and making sure all of the floats were taken care of.”

Leading the parade was Utica’s very own marching band, whose members were excited to showcase their hard work.

“I’m always excited to be in the parade,” senior drum major Sean Mondello said. “We had to practice new music and parade marching in preparation for the parade.”

Each year, the homecoming parade draws a large crowd of families and students from throughout the community and Utica Community School District.

“My favorite part of the parade was getting to see my favorite teachers and friends,” junior Brendan Silver said. “I try to attend the parades every year to show my school spirit.”

The Homecoming Parade, filled with laughter and community spirit, once again proved to be a beloved event. As colorful floats passed and cheers filled the air, the excitement left everyone looking forward to the rest of the weekend’s festivities.