The way Mark Twain saw it, a parade was important for two reasons—as a show and as a symbol. When reflecting in “Queen Victoria’s Jubilee,” on the procession in her honor in 1897,  he wrote  “…its minor function being to delight the eye, its major one to compel thought, exalt the spirit, stir the heart, and inflame the imagination.” Over the next two weeks, Lake Oswegans will get an opportunity to be delighted and uplifted as both local high schools parade their school spirit down A Avenue as part of their respective homecoming traditions.

Our daughter, Casey and her friends, escorting their freshman float calling to "Flush the Kingsmen."

Complete with floats all decked out to win the class competition, princesses practicing their parade wave, bands, cheerleaders and the dance team revving up the crowd, team members singing the school fight song,  and a grand marshal leading the charge, both these events provide an opportunity to revel in what’s good and refreshing about this stage in our kids’ lives. It also is another reminder of one of the benefits of living in a small town—being able to take in a parade down Main Street!

Lake Oswego High School kicks things off this week with activities orchestrated around the theme, “Pun(t) the Lion as they will be facing the West Linn Lions in the football game, Friday, October 21 at 7 pm on their home field. Leading up to that is a week’s worth of activities from noontime competitions like eating contests to relays as well as themed dress-up days that include: Mathlete, Cowboy and Alien, Hipster, Jersey and Navy. A homecoming court was announced at the assembly on Tuesday with the queen being crowned at halftime during the football game. The parade begins at 1:45 pm on Friday, October 21, proceeding down A Avenue from 10^th Street to 1^st led by Grand Marshal Rick Knouse, a Laker grad and big-time fan.  The week’s festivities conclude with the dance Saturday night.

Lakeridge follows the week of October 24 with an underwater theme, “Getting Fishy with It.” Themed dress-up days include White t-shirt and jeans, Tropical Tuesday, LO Bro, Formal/Casual (formal top, casual bottoms or vice versa) and Pacer Wear. The parade begins at 2 pm on Friday, October 28, followed by a pre-game tailgater from 5:30 -6:30 at the Christian City Church for fans walking to the game or parking off campus. The Pacers face off against the Canby Cougars at 7 pm with the queen coronation at halftime. The homecoming dance Saturday night wraps the spirit-filled week up.

I don’t know about you, but I love a parade. So, if you have the time this week or next, park yourself somewhere along A Avenue in downtown Lake Oswego, and let the good times roll.

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