School officials are putting the finishing touches on what promises to be the biggest and best Homecoming Parade the Everett Public Schools (EPS) has ever organized. This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, October 15, with the step-off slated for 12 noon sharp in Glendale Park. This year’s Homecoming opponent is Xaverian. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on the new field turf inside historic Everett Stadium.
Parade organizers, led by co-chairpersons George Leydon and Gina Grande, are once again paying special recognition to our servicemen and women as part of the festivities, including a large float honoring Everett’s veterans.
This year’s Honorary Captains are Vincent LoConte and Scott Taylor, the co-captains of the 1961 Crimson Tide team that went 8-1-1 in an unforgettable season that culminated with a game in the famed Miami Orange Bowl. The team and cheerleaders will participate in the parade, and also be recognized before the game.
Leydon and Grande have been hard at work assembling a memorable parade line up. More than 50 marching bands, musical groups and organizations will participate, including the Boston City Band, the Natick American Legion Band, the St. Kevin Emerald Knights Senior Drum & Bugle Corp and the Aleppo Shriners. The Crimson Tide Marching Band, the Cheerleading Squad and the Color Guard will lead the parade.
The First Division is the youth division. It will include Wally the Green Monster, Pat Patriot, and 20 marching bands. Additionally, every school and youth league and organization in the city will be represented in this division.
The Second Division, the Military Division, will be made of up Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Joe Hickey, former commissioners George Desiderio, Charlie Savage and Walter Rice, veterans organizations, as well as active military personnel from Everett. The Military Division will include 13 bands, as well as the Massachusetts National Lancers Military Mounted.
The Third Division will be made up of the famed Aleppo Shriners.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Frederick Foresteire has been coordinating a massive, district-wide effort to make all necessary preparations. This week, Mr. Foresteire will meet with school department administrators, representatives of the Everett Police and Fire departments and the Department of Public Works to finalize every detail of the day’s events.
PRE-PARADE
BREAKFAST
Homecoming festivities will begin at 8 a.m. with a pre-parade breakfast organized by the Everett High School PTO. The breakfast will be held in the EHS cafeteria, and all members of the community are invited to attend. Tickets are $5 per person and are sold at the door.
HOMECOMING 5K
The Annual Homecoming Hustle, a 5K (3.1 mile) road race for runners and walkers will benefit “Friends Fighting Breast Cancer” in memory of Janet Connolly O’Neill and former Assistant Superintendents Anthony M. Malione and Peter J. Dolan.
The race begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Everett Recreation Center on Elm Street. Registration is $15 in advance, $20 the day of the race.
The race route is Elm Street to Ferry Street, Glendale Square, Broadway, Fuller Street, Washington Avenue and back to Glendale Park on Elm Street.
TRANSPORTATION
Any veterans marching in the parade who require transportation on the morning of the parade should contact Assistant Superintendent of Schools Mr. Charles Obremski at 617-394-2400.
THE HONORARY
CAPTAINS
This year’s Honorary Captains are Vincent LoConte and Scott Taylor, the co-captains of the 1961 Crimson Tide. Coach Moody Sarno’s team went 8-1-1, captured the Greater Boston League championship and shared the Class A state crown with Arlington.
The season was highlighted by an unforgettable trip to Florida, where the Crimson Tide lost a thrilling, 13-12 contest to Miami Senior High School in the Orange Bowl. The difference in the game was a missed PAT. The game featured a typically fantastic performance by Tide legend Bobby Leo, who gained more yardage against Miami Senior than any team had during the ’61 season.
In league play, Everett’s only blemish was a small one, a 6-6 tie to Arlington. On the season, EHS outscored its opponents, 288-81.
CALLING ALL
VETERANS
The School Dept., in conjunction with the Mayors office and Veteran Services Commissioner Joseph Hickey, is honoring Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and the Gold Star Mothers of New England in this years Everett Homecoming parade.
Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, as well as all Veterans are encouraged to join us in marching in this year’s event. Transportation will be provided for those who require it. Parents of men and women currently serving overseas are welcome to participate.
RAIN DATE
If the event is canceled due to rain, the Homecoming Parade and the football game will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16. The parade will begin at 1 p.m., while the game will kick-off at 3 p.m.
The breakfast and 5K run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, rain or shine.
PARKING
RESTRICTIONS
The Everett Police Department and Chief Steven Mazzie remind residents that cars parked on either side of the parade route along Ferry Street from Glendale Park to Broadway, from Glendale Square to Everett Square, and from Chelsea Street to Everett Springs, will be towed on Saturday, Oct. 15 to clear the way for the Homecoming Parade. Vehicles should be moved by 9 a.m. the morning of the parade.
Remember: One parking ticket can spoil your whole day.
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