Southern Gap High School will mark its first homecoming with a parade Friday, Oct. 23, giving students and the community a chance to take part in a new school tradition.
The parade begins at 2 p.m., with entries lining up at Poplar Gap Athletic Park starting at 1 p.m.
Those wishing to participate must return an entry form and a $25 donation per vehicle or entry to the Southern Gap High School Student Council Association by Monday, Oct. 19. Donations will help fund the school’s homecoming dance.
School entries will line up across from the tennis courts at the Poplar Gap Athletic Fields on Southern Gap. All other entries will line up on a first-come, first-served basis toward the rear parking lots beyond the softball and baseball fields.
Parade vehicles must enter through the park’s front gate, and drivers must remain with their vehicles during staging in case they are asked to move. Students may be dropped off at the gate, but only parade entries will be allowed beyond it. Riders should load vehicles in the park’s parking lots before proceeding to their designated lineup areas.
The parade will leave the Southern Gap Athletic Fields, turn right onto westbound Southern Gap Road, Route 604, and continue to Ruffed Grouse Lane. It will then turn right onto Ruffed Grouse Lane, which becomes Eagle Drive, and follow the roundabout to Southern Gap High School.
Organizers ask each group to arrange a plan for unloading riders and share it with parents before parade day. Parents should pick up children in the designated lot at the high school after the parade.
Riders must remain aboard until their vehicle has stopped in the unloading area and is clear of the parade route. All passengers must unload before entries leave, and vehicles carrying parade riders must not return to Route 604.
Entrants and drivers are responsible for obtaining parental permission for minors. Adults must accompany and supervise children on floats, and all riders must be able to hold onto something stationary. Legs may not hang over the sides of floats or vehicles.
Candy may be handed out or lightly tossed, but organizers prohibit throwing candy from moving vehicles. Riding on floats or in pickup truck beds while traveling to or from the parade is also prohibited.
Only school-sponsored floats and vehicles with prior administrative approval will be permitted to participate in halftime activities at the homecoming football game.
Readers may complete the accompanying entry form, cut it out and return it with their donation to the school’s Student Council Association.
