Shelbyville's Homecoming Parade showcases many of school system's best students, clubs and teams

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With lights and sirens and the beating of the drums of the Shelbyville High School marching band, the 2023 Homecoming parade pulled out of the Hendricks Elementary School parking lot Wednesday afternoon and pulled onto streets lined with people awaiting the annual tradition.

GIANT fm Real Radio teamed up with the sophomore student council to pull the sophomores’ float deemed, “Back to the 80s.”

Each of the four classes at Shelbyville High School selected a specific decade to celebrate for Homecoming week.

The sophomore class float featured a large boom box, Rubik’s Cube artwork, PAC-MAN and the ghosts and even multi-colored Slinky toys. GIANT fm provided musical selections from the 80s to tie in with the theme.

The grand marshals for the 2023 parade were Christie Nigh, Susan Wettrick and Gail Procell, who rode in a 1947 International owned and driven by Jeb Bass, father of SHS assistant principal Jason Bass.

The three grand marshals recently retired from the Shelbyville Central Schools administrative office. Procell served 32 years while Nigh and Wettrick served 26 and 23 years, respectively.

Kristiaan Rawlings photo for Shelbyville Central Schools of the grand marshalls

The International truck was originally owned by Jeb Bass’ great-uncle. Bass’ father borrowed the truck the night Jeb Bass was born to drive his mother to the hospital. Bass’ great-uncle eventually handed him the title and he has continued to restore the vehicle over the past 35-plus years.

The Homecoming parade featured floats from the four graduating classes, the marching band, representatives of the elementary schools, as well as various clubs and fall athletic teams from Shelbyville High School and Shelbyville Middle School.

The parade lasted approximately 50 minutes and went from Hendricks to the intersection at Miller St., in front of Shelbyville High School and then around to the parking lot on the school’s west side.

Friday’s Homecoming celebration starts early. Indianapolis television station WTHR-13 will be at McKeand Stadium for its early-morning “Operation Football” broadcast. SHS students are requested to be at the stadium at 5:40 a.m. to prepare for WTHR’s visit.

The students will then be served breakfast before the school day begins.

At 7:30 p.m., Shelbyville (3-2) hosts Yorktown (3-2) in a Hoosier Heritage Conference contest.

GIANT fm will have its pregame show on air from McKeand Stadium at 6:30 p.m. with the game and postgame show to follow.

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