Characters from Jumanji, Guess Who and Candyland were joined by children, parents and the Wildkat community as the homecoming parade took to the streets on Wednesday. Bubbles, pink smoke and PacMan ghosts filled the street when the whole community attended the parade themed Games Wildkats Play.
“I look forward to the parade every single year,” junior Josie Oatman said. “It might be my favorite part of the homecoming traditions. Being with the Sweethearts and my friends is so much fun, and we get to see the community and kids that look up to us.”
The annual event also allows for athletes to get all the support they need as they focus on their sports. They know that they have all of Willis behind them, ready to stand with them as the take on the next game.
“Being on the varsity football float is really cool,” senior Jaxon Leitchi said. “When we’re walking in the parade, it definitely helps us feel really supported. Especially when we go back on the field on Friday nights because the whole community is fired up ready to support us.”
The prizes and goodies during the parade. is just one of the appeals of the event. The parade is a full-circle experience, with all the students on floats giving out candy and goodies to the children and parents of Willis who come sit on the side of the road to support all their special Kats.
“I think my favorite part of the parade is definitely giving back to my community with candy and high fives to all the great people of Willis,” junior Carson Knobloch said. “It feels like all of them are standing behind me and my friends or teammates as we are in sports and school. It really is an overall bond for all of us.”
