Homecoming festivities rekindle and create memories

October of 1975 was the last time I participated in high school homecoming activities. I rode in the passenger side of the vehicle that pulled the senior float around the cinder track at the old Meridian Street football field as classmate Jeff Eads drove the truck that was on loan from Shelbyville’s Dickmann Motors.

The senior float, with the theme, “Tree the Pirates,” won the class competition and the Golden Bears outlasted Greensburg 13-8 for a homecoming victory.

Forty-eight years later, this week, I was honored to serve as Grand Marshal for the Shelbyville High School Homecoming Parade. The experience was very gratifying and revived memories of the fun and excitement that homecoming week can provide.

It was appropriate that on Sept. 11, the 23^rd anniversary of the historic terrorist attack in New York City, Shelbyville police and fire personnel led and managed the parade as it made its way from the starting point at Hendricks Elementary School, east onto St. Joseph Street, south on Miller Street, west on McKay Road and into Shelbyville High School, completing its journey at McKeand Stadium.

Ron Hounshell (photo, right, with Shelbyville High School Athletic Director Jennifer DeMuth Hensley) drove his 1981 Corvette, that he has owned since 1989, behind a city fire engine to lead the parade.

School board member David Finkel drove his 1966 Ford Mustang convertible that he has owned since he earned his first driver’s license in 1976.

“How many people my age can still say they have their first car?” said Finkel.

Curt Johnson, another school board member and former SHS football standout, walked the route distributing candy to eager youngsters and interacting with the crowd that lined the streets. Former WSVL Radio personality Jack Boyce was busy, as usual, taking numerous pictures. Former Blue River Foundation executive director Amy Haacker drove the student council float.

John Hartnett Jr. served as the Grand Marshall for the Shelbyville High School Homecoming Parade Wednesday.

Future Golden Bears who participate in the Boys and Girls Club Youth Football League donned their gold and black game jerseys as they were among the groups that marched in the congregation.

Homecoming activities following the parade consisted of a tug-of-war between classes and the Powder Puff Football Game that has been an annual SHS event since 1974. SHS football players coached the squads with the Bears’ coaching staff serving as referees.

The seniors defeated the freshmen and the sophomores beat the juniors in the flag football contests on Wednesday, setting up a championship match at a school pep rally on Friday.

Shelbyville will play host to New Castle in the 2024 homecoming game Friday night with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

“Homecoming is one of my favorite events of the year and the parade is an opportunity for the whole community to celebrate,” said SHS principal Amy Dawson. “Seeing students and staff members from all grade levels walk in the parade and alumni and families lining the streets, it is hard not to feel nostalgic and appreciate the small-town feeling.”

Members of Shelbyville High School's Student Council had a float in the Homecoming Parade and tossed candy to the parade watchers Wednesday. They are (first row, from left): Neveah Cole and Sydney Brown; (second row) Lucille Haacker, Michel Leon Lua, Karina Calderon and Elaina Trotter.

I was very honored to be asked to play a part in the parade. I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to principal Amy Dawson and assistant principal Kyle Green for including me. I enjoyed connecting with many kind, wonderful people along the route, many I have been privileged to have known for decades. I also appreciate dear friends and classmates Mark Campbell and Gerald Clements coming to offer their support.

I had forgotten how enjoyable SHS homecoming events can be and how much I appreciated having the opportunity to take part in them; nearly a half-century ago and again this week as well.

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