If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.  That includes this week’s Homecoming activities for Bridgeport High School.  Originally scheduled for last week, events were rescheduled for this week as the school district entered into two-a-day in-person classes and regular sports schedules.  Although the Homecoming Court was announced last week, the actual crowning of the Homecoming Queen will take place during halftime at Friday’s game.

 

The Homecoming Parade has been a longstanding tradition in Bridgeport, with community supporters lining the streets celebrating fall sports, clubs, themed floats, alumni, band members and the Homecoming court.  Because of social distancing guidelines, crowds are not permitted, so the parade organizers, Summer Tuttle, Cheryl McCarthy and Charlene Keener, got creative.

 

There were already scheduled events this week in the community, so roads will not be closed off during the parade this year.  The parade route will also be shortened and there will be no themed floats, clubs or youth sports included in the event.  The biggest change, however, will be the way the parade takes place.  

 

“We will be having a reverse parade,” said McCarthy.  “That means that the featured teams, band and court will be placed in designated areas and the audience will be in cars that drive past them.”

 

Because the Bridgeport Middle School has an easily accessible loop in front of it, the band will perform in the parking lot as cars drive by.  The official start of the parade route is Greer Law Offices on West Philadelphia Avenue.  Positioned directly in front of the office will be the BHS Volleyball Team, Golf Team, and Girls Soccer Team, with the Boys Soccer Team and Cross Country Team directly across the street.

 

As cars continue toward Bridgeport Middle School, they will enter the loop of the BMS parking lot, where the BHS Danceline will greet them on the left, followed by the Homecoming Court in the arc of the loop and ending with the football team and cheerleaders at the end of the loop.  The band will be performing in the BMS Parking lot throughout the parade, which will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 

“We are excited that we are still able to have the Homecoming Parade in some capacity,” said Tuttle, who has been working with the court as well as the parade.  “We want to give the court their time in the spotlight and celebrate our teams, band and cheerleaders that have been waiting for a bit of normalcy for months.”

 

Because the event is socially distanced, cars will not be permitted to stop, but are encouraged to come out to support the students during this unusual homecoming year. All safety protocols will be followed during the event. 

 

“The Bridgeport Community has always been so supportive and, even with this short notice, we are thrilled to see them attend the parade tomorrow night,” said McCarthy.  “This is a great way to honor our students, teams, band members and court members as they count down the days to their 2020 Homecoming Queen announcement at Friday’s game. To be clear, those choosing to drive through the parade will not be permitted to stop."

 

Editor's Note: Photos from the 2019 standard style Bridgeport High School Homecoming Parade by Ben Queen Photography.