Cheers to homecoming
Few, if any, high school activities involve the community more than homecoming.
Even if you're not an alum, or you don't have a child in the school, you can get some of the homecoming buzz from watching a parade or seeing a football game.
Some Fox Valley homecomings are taking place this week; others are next month.
All of the schools have a week's worth of events.
Here is a look at some of the highlights:
Bartlett
The Bartlett Hawks will kick off homecoming celebrations with a parade beginning at 1 p.m. Sept. 30 through downtown Bartlett. The homecoming football game pits the Hawks against Neuqua Valley at 7:30 Oct. 5 at Millenium Field.
Burlington Central
The annual parade, which involves middle school and high school students, will be at 1:30 p.m. today around the high school's campus. New this year is the Fun Run; it'll be held on the high school's track after the parade. The homecoming football games against Marengo follow the Fun Run, with sophomores at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity. Before the varsity game, the homecoming court will be introduced and will walk on the track in front of the crowd.
Elgin
Elgin High School homecoming week kicked off Sunday with a parade through downtown Elgin, and has continued all week with events open to the public.
Maroon and Cream Day from 3:30 to 5 p.m. today will feature a tailgate party at the high school. The homecoming king and queen will be crowned at 7 p.m., just prior to the varsity football game at 7:30 p.m. against Waubonsie Valley.
Elgin Academy
Homecoming celebration starts off at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28, with a parade following at 6 p.m. that winds its way around campus, before the Elgin private school's homecoming picnic. The homecoming game is Sept. 29.
Larkin
Larkin High School will hold its homecoming parade Oct. 5. The Elgin school's homecoming game against St. Charles North will feature an alumni tent, grilling and free giveaways. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Field.
St. Charles North
North students wrap up coronation voting today, then go downtown for the annual homecoming parade at 2 p.m. The parade steps off from West Main and Sixth streets in downtown St. Charles, then heads east to Fourth Avenue. The football games are set for 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. today against Bartlett, with the homecoming dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday in the main gym.
St. Edward Catholic
There's a homecoming pep rally Oct. 5, followed by the homecoming football game at 7:30 p.m. at which the Elgin school will take on St. Francis. The homecoming dance is from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 6.
South Elgin
Three-year-old South Elgin High School has scheduled events for Harvest Week, a spirited substitute for homecoming for a school that does not yet have alumni to welcome home.
The sophomore football game kicks off today at 5:30 p.m. at Millennium Field, followed by the Harvest Parade around 7 p.m. The Storm varsity football team takes on Thornton Fractional South at 7:30 p.m. The coronation of king and queen will be held at halftime during the varsity game. Stick around after the game for a "glow show."
Streamwood
The carnival from 3 to 6 p.m. today in celebration of homecoming is open to the public. The fun will feature a dunk tank and other booths. The Sabres then take on Larkin at 7:30 at Millennium Field.