The Everett Public Schools (EPS) and its Homecoming 2011 organizers have finalized plans for Saturday’s day-long festivities, highlighted by an extravagant parade and culminating in a football game between the Crimson Tide and Xaverian
The Homecoming Parade, which steps off at 12 noon sharp in Glendale Park, will feature 50 marching bands and a special salute to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Members of the Gold Star Mothers, an organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to our country, will participate in the parade. The day will end with the highly-anticipated Homecoming Game between Everett and Xaverian at 2:30 p.m. inside historic Everett Stadium.
Prior to the game, Everett High will honor the 1961 football team and cheerleading squad. The ’61 Crimson Tide won the Greater Boston League and Class A championships, and represented Massachusetts in the famed Orange Bowl in Miami. Former players and cheerleaders will be in a special trolley in the parade.
Parade Chairpersons Gina Grande, secretary to Superintendent of Schools Frederick Foresteire, and George Leydon, director of Alternative Education at Everett High, have announced that Barbara Coelho is the 2011 Homecoming Queen. The Homecoming King is Keenan Shelton, while the Queen’s Ladies in Waiting are Vianca Colocho, Rachel Holt, Deanna Johnson and Katelyn Steeves. All members of the court are seniors, and they will enjoy a regal perch atop a special float during Saturday’s parade.
Parade organizers are asking residents to take their spots early and enjoy the pre-parade entertainment. Critically acclaimed family entertainer Johnny the K will be in Glendale Park beginning at 10:30 a.m, while at 11 a.m. Sgt. Daniel Clark, “The Singing Trooper,” will perform in Glendale Square, and Rene Rancourt of Boston Bruins fame will entertain the crowd in Everett Square. Mr. Rancourt will also deliver his stirring rendition of the National Anthem prior to our Homecoming game at 2:30 p.m.
Once again, Homecoming Day will begin from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Everett High School cafeteria with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the PTO. The full breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, bagels, juice and coffee. Tickets are $5 per person and available at the door. Proceeds benefit the Everett High PTO. Guests are encouraged to drive to the main entrance of the high school, and handicap parking is available.
In addition, the annual “Homecoming Hustle” will be held at 8:30 a.m. A 5K run and walk, the “Homecoming Hustle” benefits Friends Fighting Breast Cancer, an organization made up entirely of EPS personnel. Participants should report to the Everett Recreational Center at 7:30 a.m. to register. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. on Elm Street.
The registration fee is $15 in advance, $20 the day of the race. The route takes runners and walkers from Elm Street to Ferry Street, Glendale Square, Broadway, Fuller Street, Washington Avenue and back to Glendale Park on Elm Street.
The “Homecoming Hustle” is held in memory of Janet Connolly O’Neill, former assistant principal of the Webster School, and Anthony M. Malione and Peter Dolan, former assistant superintendents.
In case of rain, the parade will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m., followed by the game at 3 p.m. The breakfast and “Homecoming Hustle” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, rain or shine.