The shine of the brass instruments, flags brought out ready to fly, clubs lining up, and candy bags ready to hurdle through the air, West Chicago Community High School (WCCHS) kicks off its annual homecoming parade just minutes after the homecoming food fest ended.
As always, the parade was led by the West Chicago Police Department (WCPD) and the West Chicago Fire Protection (WDFP), followed by the marching band and teacher association.
As the parade took off, many families came out to celebrate with the high schoolers. Kids and parents from every block were out on the sidewalks waiting for the annual candy throw, regardless of the heat, which hit a high of 88 degrees in West Chicago.
“It was really cool to see the community come together, especially all the other schools,” Sam Garcia, a student-teacher at WCCHS, said.
For over 25 years, WCCHS has kicked off homecoming weekend with pep and food, followed by the popular parade. Many of the students participating in it are often the ones who were on the receiving end of the candy throwing.
“It was really fun because I got to see all of my former teachers,” Camila Montalvo, a freshman at WCCHS, said. “It felt good because it almost felt rewarding because I’m not stuck at that school, I feel more grown.”
The parade typically goes down Joliet Street, where, in recent years, Gary Elementary School had started bringing the kids closer to the start of the parade. After that, students and staff were led down to the bus line at Leman Middle School, where students got to see some familiar faces.
“I was excited, I saw two of my middle school teachers, I saw Mr. Francis,” Alejandra Alcantar, a junior at WCCHS, said.
Although there was much excitement and the air filled with pep, many students came back with a little less pep in their steps. The sun was blazing down on the parade for most of the time they were outside. Many students decided to stop for a little pick-me-up at the convenience store on Joliet Street, “La India.”
Regardless of the sweat dripping down foreheads and constant fanning with folders and hands, many students and staff love the parade and the feelings that go along with it.
