Goodrich – It’s time to get in the blue-and-gold spirit. The Goodrich High School Homecoming is just around the corner.
This year’s homecoming game is slated for Sept. 17, when the Martians will take on the Byron Eagles.
Parade participants will begin lining up in downtown Goodrich at 4 p.m., said parade coordinator Beth Overcashier. The parade, which will continue from downtown Goodrich to the high school, begins at 5 p.m.
The community chili supper’which began with the senior class more than two decades ago in the school’s pole barn’is now put on by the sophomore class in the high school cafeteria, said former parade coordinator Joan Turner.
In addition to chili, feast on football-season fare like hot dogs, chips, caramel apples, elephant ears, pop, water, coffee, and hot chocolate.
The unique community focus evokes lots of memories, says Turner, recalling the 1986 tornado that prompted homecoming planners to quickly close up shop.
Dough for the elephant ear pastries was left to rise all night, she said, and had to be thrown out.
‘It was a disaster,? Turner said, ‘but we did the chili and the game the next day.?
This year’s theme is ‘Celebrations?.
Following the 7 p.m. game, at which the homecoming queen and king will be crowned, is the student council-sponsored 10th annual community dance, started by principal Kenneth Andrzejewski.
For $1, children, parents, and the community can dance the night away to rock-and-roll from the 1950s to the present. The dance will be held in the auxiliary gym beginning around 9 p.m. and end around 11 p.m. Enter the school through the southwest doors.
In case of parade cancellation due to storm or tornado warning, the parade will be rescheduled to 10 a.m. Sept. 18, with lineup beginning at 8:30 a.m., with a chili luncheon held at 11 a.m. and the football game at 1 p.m.
The Goodrich Homecoming celebration may be one of the most unique in the county, says Turner.
‘Nowhere in the county’at least in our league’do they make floats like these,? said Turner of the parade that kicks off the community-focused event.
‘People like it. People look forward to these things every year.?