Bulldogs celebrate homecoming parade in downtown Decatur

Photo by Mike Eckels The junior class float returns to the parking lot outside of Peterson Gym after participating in the 2015 Bulldog Homecoming Parade in downtown Decatur Sept. 18.
Photo by Mike Eckels The junior class float returns to the parking lot outside of Peterson Gym after participating in the 2015 Bulldog Homecoming Parade in downtown Decatur Sept. 18.

DECATUR -- At noon on Friday, fancy convertible cars, floats, band instruments and even a horse gathered at Decatur City Hall for what would be the beginning of a day to remember.

As the 1 p.m. hour drew near, students at Decatur High school hurried to make last minute preparations for the big 2015 homecoming parade held this year on Main St. in Decatur.

Bob Tharp, Decatur mayor, and Jeff Gravette, school superintendent, decided last August to move the parade from the high school to downtown Decatur.

"By moving it downtown, we hoped to get the town involved in the homecoming festivities," Gravette said.

At 12:30 p.m. people started gathering along Main St. in front of the Neighborhood Market and Farmers Co-op to get the best view of the festivities. Soon thereafter came the students.

Looking up Roller Ave., a long line of students from Decatur Middle School walked down the street, through Walmart parking lot, to take their places along the east side of Main St. A short time later, a bus arrived at city hall carrying students from Decatur Northside Elementary. They too took their places in the crowd. In all, more than 550 students, faculty, staff and town residents gathered along the short parade route.

At 1 p.m., the distant sound of a band was heard playing the Bulldog fight song as the parade rolled down Jo Ave. toward Main St. Suddenly, the parade came into view as it turned onto Main St., making its way toward the assembled masses along the street in downtown Decatur.

The parade was led by the Decatur Marching Band, playing an assortment of musical numbers designed to get the crowd into the spirit of the homecoming event.

The homecoming court, riding in a variety of vintage and modern convertibles, followed the band. They were soon followed by the many floats that were involved in the day's events.

The first float carried the Decatur High School football team. A huge show of spirit rang out from the crowd as the team passed by. They were closely followed by floats from the Decatur volleyball team and each of the classes from Decatur Middle and High Schools. A horse and rider concluded the parade as it ended at the Decatur Cemetery.

It was a parade to remember, not only for the many kids assembled in the downtown area, but also for the many Decatur residents. The show of Bulldog spirit demonstrated, not only the pride in the Decatur School District, but also the community -- a community that takes its many Decatur sports programs very seriously.

General News on 09/23/2015