We've got spirit, yes we do
Few, if any, high school activities involve the community more than homecoming.
Even if you're not an alum or 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.
Two Tri-Cities area homecomings are this week, while most are next week and one is next month. All of the schools have a week's worth of events. Here is a look at some of the highlights:
Batavia
Batavia's homecoming kicks off Saturday when the Bulldogs "paint the town" in the morning. Students can participate in a dodge ball tournament at 3 p.m. in the gym Sunday before decorating the school.
The powder puff game will be at 6:30 p.m. at the stadium Tuesday, and the pep rally will be at 7 p.m. at the stadium Wednesday.
The homecoming parade will start at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 28. The lineup is on Western Avenue and the route goes east on Wilson Street, south on Lincoln Street and west on Main Street to the high school.
The homecoming football games are at 5:15 (sophomores) and 7:30 p.m. (varsity) against Yorkville Sept. 28, and the dance will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Sept. 29.
Burlington Central
The annual parade that 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 that will be held on the high school's track after the parade. The homecoming football games against Marengo follow the Fun Run, with sophomores starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by the varsity.
Before the varsity game, the homecoming court will be introduced.
Geneva
Homecoming week's theme is "Vikings Save the World!" It begins at noon Saturday with painting windows downtown. Wednesday night there is a powder puff football game to raise money for the junior class' prom, and Thursday there is a PTO barbecue at 6 p.m., with the pep rally-coronation-bonfire starting at 8 p.m.
Sept. 28, there is a parade at 2 p.m. in the neighborhood around the high school, an alumni barbecue at 5:15 p.m. and the sophomore and varsity football games against DeKalb. The dance is Sept. 29.
Kaneland
The Kaneland Knights homecoming pep assembly will be at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday in the east gymnasium. The powder puff game will be at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 28 on the practice football field. The homecoming games will be at 5:15 and 7:30 p.m. against Glenbard South Sept. 28, and the homecoming dance will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 29.
Marmion
Homecoming kicks off with an old-fashioned block party with new carnival rides, games and food at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 on the front lawn at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora.
The homecoming parade is at 6:45 p.m. on the Marmion campus, with a pep rally and introduction of the king and queen. Lighting of the bonfire is at 7:45 p.m.
A powder puff football game, with Marmion-Rosary band halftime show, is at 7:45 p.m.
Marmion hosts St. Francis High School for the football game at 1 p.m. Sept. 29.
Rosary
The school has Spirit Week next week, teaming up with Marmion Academy. There's a walkathon at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 at Blackberry Farm/Pioneer Village in Aurora. There will be a powder puff football game at Marmion Sept. 28, with the Marmion-Rosary band doing a halftime show.
St. Charles East
East students rally their teams at a pep assembly set for 7 p.m. Thursday in the main gym, 1020 Dunham Road, followed by the king and queen crowning.
On Sept. 28, they meet downtown for the annual homecoming parade at 2 p.m., which steps off from West Main and Sixth streets, then heads east to Fourth Avenue.
The homecoming football games against Neuqua Valley are Sept. 28, and the dance is Sept. 29.
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. that night against Bartlett, with the homecoming dance from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday in the main gym, 255 Red Gate Road.
West Aurora
The homecoming parade begins at 2:50 p.m. Oct. 4 beginning at Garfield Avenue and Calumet Street in Aurora. Grand marshals of the parade are the players and coach of the 2000 West Aurora High School state championship basketball team.
As part of homecoming, the West Aurora High School Alumni Association welcomes all graduates and former staff to an all-class reunion from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the West High football stadium. The event will include decade tables, music and food.
Alumni also can stay and watch the homecoming game as the Blackhawks host Naperville North.
Alumni attending the all-class reunion will purchase stadium admission tickets at the front gate for $4. However, if an alumnus wants to attend the all-class reunion, purchase of a game ticket is not necessary.