Supporting the whole parade

Saturday dawned rainy and overcast but that didn't deter the passel of young people decked out and ready for the high school Homecoming Parade.

Homecoming has its roots far back to the 1800s when Harvard and Yale would invite its alumni to return home for The Game. Since around 1910, universities have been holding "coming home" celebrations.

Early homecoming events all had similar characteristics: a football game served as a center point; the events included rallies, parades, speeches and dances; the events intended to unite alumni and students to create a stronger sense of school pride.

There was plenty of pride on the streets of Norway Saturday. High schoolers mounted floats – one for each year, the band marched with pride and cheerleaders numbered in what seemed like the hundreds.

Also marching were what can only be described as a motley group of sports teams whose members wore their jerseys proudly marching down the street in a discombobulated mass. What fun they were to watch!

Seven area fire departments and PACE finished off the parade with a wonderful cacophony of sound.

We only wish the community had spread out a bit instead of mass congregating down on Paris Street. Norway's Main Street was relatively bare  ... a few cheered from the sidewalks but the young people in the parade marched a long way before seeing appreciative crowds.

Perhaps if the sports teams had marched as well? We hope that next year, watchers will think to fill all the sidewalks in support of our kids ... they deserve an entire parade route of cheering boosters!