Blair Oaks students screamed in excitement as they watched floats with decorations ranging from a Blair Oaks football player mannequin to a falcon sitting in a chair in front of a giant popcorn bag filled with balloons.
Students at each school in the Blair Oaks R-2 School District celebrated homecoming during school Friday with a parade throughout the campus and an outdoor assembly.
Renee Maples, a Blair Oaks High School history teacher, said she's thankful the school community could experience homecoming this year.
"I thought it was awesome, the fact that we got to have the parade and that the kids were able to experience homecoming," she said. "We lost so much last year, and the kids have shared that they feel so blessed to be able to do this. It's just amazing."
The parade included a police car and fire truck with sirens and lights on; the Blair Oaks Falcon mascot; the cheer team, color guard and band; a variety of floats, student organizations with signs of their club names, the homecoming court sitting on convertibles or standing on the backs of trucks; FFA students sitting on hay bales pulled by tractor; and a student riding a horse.
The assembly included the homecoming court presentation and games such as boys playing softball, girls playing football, and students and staff playing golf.
While the assembly is normally held in the gymnasium, it used to be outside until about 12 years ago, Superintendent Jim Jones said. This year, it was moved to the football stadium because of COVID-19.
"It feels good to be able to continue to celebrate in a similar fashion to how we've done it in the past," Jones said. "Having beautiful weather makes a huge difference in making sure that we can go down to the stadium."
Masks were required at both events, and Blair Oaks High School Principal Melinda Aholt handed out masks to guests who did not have one.
"It has been a huge effort with the entire district to make sure that we stay safe, and every teacher and staff member has helped us do that," Aholt said.
Maples said homecoming is important and everyone looks forward to it because it provides a sense of community.
"It's not just about the football team; it's about the cheerleaders and the dancers and the band and the fans, and it just helps make us a great place," she said.
She added: "The fact that we were able to do this today and have the game tonight - it can't get better than that."