Everybody Sure Loves A Homecoming Parade
By: Betsy Reason
The Noblesville High School Miller Man mascot gets smiles from the kids as he gives out candy and high-fives.
The Noblesville High School Marching Millers, which performed Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” were the first group in the Noblesville Homecoming Parade on Friday through downtown Noblesville.
The Noblesville Fire Department’s Ladder truck appeared in the Noblesville Homecoming Parade on Friday through downtown Noblesville.
Noblesville High School Dean of Students Jeremy Luna was easily spotted using a megaphone while supervising the crowd at Ninth and Logan Streets, just before the Noblesville Homecoming Parade began on Friday afternoon.
Noblesville resident Kent Graham, retired teacher and track and cross country coach at NHS, who rarely misses a Noblesville photo moment with his own camera, was the Noblesville Homecoming Parade’s grand marshal, riding in a red Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible.
Noblesville High School Class of ‘74 featured a dozen members of the 50-year class waving from a float with a sign that read, “Class of ‘74, Go Millers! Pluck Eagles! ‘70s Rock.”
Noblesville High School Orchestra members performed aboard their float during the Noblesville Homecoming Parade.
Noblesville High School Marching Millers perform during the Noblesville Homecoming Parade.
Characters from Noblesville High School Choir’s upcoming fall musical “Cinderella,” on stage Nov. 16-18, joined NHS Singers and New Dimension show choirs with seniors walking and riding on decorated trailers.
Noblesville High School Miller football teams have several floats for each grade, including this wagon for freshmen players, during the Noblesville Homecoming Parade.
Noblesville High School Marching Millers perform during the Noblesville Homecoming Parade.
Noblesville High School Cross Country float features seniors during the Noblesville Homecoming Parade.
A colorful Noblesville High School Girls Golf float celebrates the parade theme of “Rio Carnival” during the Noblesville Homecoming Parade.
Noblesville High School’s Homecoming Parade on Friday attracted a very large crowd who lined Logan Street, Ninth Street and Monument Street, the usual parade route.
Yes, many Noblesville school families came out to watch the parade. Having such a great turnout just goes to show how much the community needs to hold onto our parade tradition, for Homecoming, as well as July Fourth and the Noblesville Christmas Parade.
It was a lot of fun to see the downtown streets filled with families as Noblesville Schools celebrated 2023 Homecoming.
Just like at the Noblesville football games, Noblesville High School Dean of Students Jeremy Luna was easily spotted using a megaphone while supervising the crowd just before the parade began.
In tradition, Noblesville Police and Fire departments led the parade.
NHS Marching Millers followed, performing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” Band members sported their classy, stylish black and shiny gold band uniforms, although some senior band and guard members made a fashion statement wearing their decorated senior cords.
Noblesville Band Boosters followed by promoting their popular Pot of Black & Gold 50/50 raffle that gives away thousands of dollars to a lucky raffle winner while benefiting the band.
Noblesville resident Kent Graham, retired teacher and track and cross country coach at NHS, who rarely misses a Noblesville photo moment with his own camera, was the parade’s grand marshal, riding in a red Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible.
NHS Millers football seniors were the first of the athletes to appear in the parade as the players rode on the back of a trailer decorated with gold and black balloons and the Miller flag. Then they were followed by NHS junior football players, sophomore players and freshmen players on flat-bed trailers and wagons.
NHS Miller Man and the NHS Miller cheerleaders walked and gave out candy and rode floats. A “Seniors 2024 Cheer” float featured a “Beaver Stadium” sign and black and gold and white and purple balloons.
NHS Class of ‘74 featured a dozen members of the 50-year class waving from a float with a sign that read, “Class of ‘74, Go Millers! Pluck Eagles! ‘70s Rock.”
The NHS Alumni Association board members, NHS grads Peggy Beaver, Terri Sigman-Kennedy and Michelle Dixon rode in a golf cart driven by board member Charlie McMillan Jr.
The Noblesville Soccer players parade entry was easily identifiable with a giant soccer ball on the parade-entry trailers, as was the Noblesville Basketball players with a giant basketball. Noblesville Lacrosse had several floats with players, including some dressed in the parade theme of “Rio Carnival.” All of the different school sports were represented, including Noblesville Girls Track with players carrying an almost lifesize poster of the seniors, Boys Tennis players held up senior team members’ faces made onto big head cutouts, Girls Soccer float featured “parrots” perched and flying above. Miller Baseball, Noblesville Swim Club, Miller Softball, Unified Cheer and Unified Track & Field and Unified Bowling and Student Government were represented. NHS news media float had news articles plastered to the back of the trailer. Noblesville Wrestling Club and a small train of players riding with signage that read “Grow Girls Wrestling.” There were floats for Men’s and Women’s Volleyball, Rugby, Millers Cross Country, Miller Dance Team and Girls Golf Team. NHS Orchestra performed on a float. Characters from NHS Choir’s upcoming fall musical “Cinderella,” on stage Nov. 16-18, joined NHS Singers and New Dimension show choirs with seniors walking and riding on decorated trailers. Plus, Noblesville Young Life, Lend a Paw, Riley Dance Marathon, and more were featured in the parade.
Did I miss naming any groups? Probably. Some floats and parade entries could have been better labeled as to the name of their group, on not only the back of the parade float but also on the sides of the float, so that parade-goers along the parade route would know what group they were watching.
It was fun seeing all of the students on their floats.
And this goes to show that the community still loves their parades.
-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. Contact The Times Editor Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com