Far Guy asked me out on a date. He wanted to see the Homecoming Parade.
Remember back when you were in High School?
Homecoming week in Park Rapids was a big deal. Each class had a float. A hay wagon covered in chicken wire to showcase a theme. We made many Kleenex flowers. Thursday was a hectic day, the floats had to be ready and held in dry storage because the Kleenex would “melt” if it got wet. Thursday night was the bonfire and snake dance. I only attended once. Thursday may have been the day that the Senior king and queen were chosen…we voted for our favorite earlier in the week. Each class had an attendant…a boy and a girl and usually two little kids from the grade school.
Friday was the big day, with a pep fest in the gym followed by a parade. GO PANTHERS! The big game usually against Frazee, Detroit Lakes or Wadena was held at 7 or maybe 7:30 PM and the Homecoming Dance followed.
Everyone had a Homecoming Button with the year on it and the date and who we played and sometimes the slogan…
These are some old homecoming buttons from Charlene she donated them to the Historical Museums High School Memory Room. Can you tell by now that the school colors were Orange and Black!
I remember the old football field back behind the fairgrounds. Some nights were so cold you watched the game from your car…back then you could drive and park facing the football field. If the team made a touchdown there was the honking of the horns.
The High School Band marched and played during half time. You could buy hot chocolate and popcorn at the refreshment stand.
Football Players
The band. Not exactly a Marching Band. We always had two bands Senior and Junior High Marching Bands.
Homecoming Royalty. We used to have a float for the Royalty…the girls wore their fancy long gowns and waved their gloved hands.
That was it. In less than five minutes the parade was over and so was our date. Far Guy asked if I would like to accompany him to the big game he would even spring for some popcorn…I said “No thanks.” I think he was relieved.
