By Kara Hallam
Staff Writer
From the floats covered in balloon made palm trees and Miley Cyrus songs blasting from the stereos of most float cars, Coppell’s homecoming parade this past Wednesday fulfilled yet another year of tradition.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the parade was opened by the Coppell High School band and Colorguard leading the floats while playing the Coppell fight song. The parade started on Canyon Road and then heads down Parkway to close in the CHS parking lot.
“It really is a great event to go out to get to see all of the community get excited for,” CHS parent Jane Harris said.
Harris has grown up in Coppell and gone to the homecoming parade the past three years in a row. Harris has two sons at CHS and one daughter who has just entered Coppell Middle School West. They like to tag along to see the parade with her.
“I am not ashamed to admit I love to hang out with my mom at the parade,” freshmen Aidan Harris said.
This year’s parade had a tropical twist on it as floats handed out not only candy but also leis. The homecoming court rode in on glamorous old fashioned cars and waved to the crowd as if actual Coppell royalty to lead the rest of the floats. Just about every sport team had its own float like the lariettes, cheerleaders, swimming, basketball, golf and football.
“I had always been in the parade, but this year i really got to interact with the kids and see their faces light up when I waved to them,” said junior tennis float member Brittany Ellinger.
The drama and art departments also made appearances along with a few charity groups.
Not only do CHS students and organizations participate in the program, but also the younger students from the Coppell elementary schools. They eagerly and adorably passed out candy with the help from their teachers and parents. When a candy bag spilled open in the middle of the street, the parade came to a stop as elementary students in the parade rushed to collect it for themselves.
This family event ended around 7:15 p.m. with the arrival of the CHS football team riding in on trucks bearing the banner of the Jacob Logan organization. The police passed through to clear the roads a final time and on cue the spectators got up to leave.
The Harris family fulfilled yet another year of their tradition as they packed up their chairs under the night sky in the backdrop of flashing police lights. For Harris’ daughter, this was the first year of many to come for her to go see the parade.
“I love to see all of the pretty floats but by far my favorite part is the candy,” said sixth grader Claire Harris.
