Bandera High School celebrated Wednesday evening with a Homecoming Parade that wound its way through the eastern section of Bandera.
The parade went back down residential streets and avoided Main Street, which is a state highway. Over thirty floats/trailers and several walking entries comprised the spirited group.
Parents lined the sides of the street and cheered as their youngsters passed by.
The crowd that turned out to watch the parade was large, with elementary and middle school students milling about ready to see their high school heroes.
One of the most decorated floats was the BHS girls’ volleyball float with a volleyball net and plenty of sparkle.
The long-legged volleyball girls laughed and waved to the crowd as they went by hats wearing cowboy hats and boots.
Cowboy Capital Trail Ride Queen Heather Baker rode in the parade with one attendant. Her paint pony was a tribute to the riders of old.
She smiled and waved to the crowd while slowly making her way to the High School.
Most floats threw candy to the crowd which the parade viewers quickly scooped up. Some even threw brightly colored pom poms for little ones to grab up and shake.
The float trailers were pulled by various local businesses. Bandera Electric Coop’s float had two goal posts stationed at the ends of the float with smiling employees riding along.
The float followed a BEC lineman truck where goodies were distributed to the crowd.
Local Tooth Scootin’ Boogie dentist Randi Mellon rode in her jeep with her husband at the wheel. She threw out toothbrush kits to the crowd.
The Homecoming Court rode by and represented the variety in the student body groups well. Members of the band, football program, dance team, and other athletic groups comprised the court.
Miss Kelly’s Dance Studio danced their way down the parade route, stopping to perform at various intervals.
Several cheer groups also walked the route along with the BHS Marching 100 Band. Of particular note were the precision marching of the Bandera High Star Steppers.
Toward the end of the parade, the floats quickly stopped, and the high school students rushed together for an impromptu group pic across from the Silver Sage Community Center.
They held signs and banners from the #FN5GL competition sponsored by T-Mobile as they took the pictures to send in and compete for a stadium makeover.
As the football players rode on top of the Bandera Fire Truck and other emergency vehicles, the parade ended for another year.
Nothing surpasses the fun of a homecoming parade in Texas. With mums and pom poms, the High School showed its spirit through sparkling decorations and smiling students who supported their team with good humor and the spirit of sportsmanship.
