Lions on the lawn

Homecoming parade reversed in Gravette

GRAVETTE — The year 2020 has seen some unusual modifications in the routine at Gravette High School.

The Oct. 9 celebration of the annual football homecoming was no different.

Due to Arkansas Health Department restrictions on large gatherings, it was not possible to hold the usual homecoming parade that wound its way through the heart of downtown.

Students at Gravette High School were not to be cheated out of a celebration, however. School officials planned a reverse parade in which the parade participants remained stationary and area residents were invited to drive their vehicles along the parade route.

Members of school clubs, classes and teams set up booths along Lion Drive leading up to the high school and dressed up their displays with colorful decorations, balloons and posters.

Many dressed in costumes carrying out their booth’s theme.

Members of the high school marching band, under the direction of bandleader Aaron Ray, performed several musical numbers and played the school fight song on the grassy lawn in front of the school.

The cheerleading squad got involved too, performing lively routines for passersby in the parade. Members of the homecoming court, three queen candidates, and maids from each high school class, with their escorts, were all on hand to greet the passing drivers.

The parade began at 2 p.m. and a long line of vehicles soon began winding its way up the hill.

High School principal Shannon Mitchell and assistant principal Taos Jones joined the procession in the new GHS golf cart, waving to students as they passed and, finally, school buses carrying students from each campus were driven past the high school as they began the journey home.

It was a beautiful day for a parade, with temperatures in the mid-80s and a nice breeze.

Everyone was in high spirits and obviously enjoying the unusual 2020 homecoming parade.

Several photographers were seen wandering along the route and it’s quite likely several photos will be preserved in photo albums and scrapbooks to preserve memories of the unique event.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Susan Holland) Members of the Gravette High School football team gather to watch the stream of vehicles passing by Friday during the 2020 homecoming parade. The Lions met the Huntsville Eagles in football action that evening but unfortunately lost, 28-26.

Members of the Gravette High School band, under the direction of bandleader Aaron Ray, perform the school fight song on the campus in front of the school.

Junior maid Kelsey Fletcher poses with her escort, senior Chase Fultz.

Members of the GHS cheerleading squad perform a routine for people driving by. Cheerleaders used their pink pom poms, wore pink bows and socks decorated in pink to honor October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Shannon Mitchell, Gravette High School principal, and assistant principal Taos Jones drive along the parade route with Jones waving to the crowd as they pass. The GHS golf cart was recently donated to the school.

Homecoming queen candidate Aubrey Gebhart (left) poses with her friend Keeli Moore. Each of the three queen candidates were on hand to greet passersby in the unique reverse parade.

Homecoming queen candidate Mikey Larson poses for a solo photo. Mikey was crowned as 2020 homecoming queen in ceremonies Friday afternoon at Lion Field.

Homecoming queen candidate Lizzy Ellis poses with her escorts Ethan Ellis (left) and Cordell Donell.