Quitman ISD is preparing to celebrate homecoming this week with a community parade, downtown pep rally and special recognition of one of the most successful football teams in Bulldog history.
The Quitman High School Homecoming Parade will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Participants will line up at 1:15 p.m. at Quitman High School and Quitman Junior High.
The parade will travel down State Highway 154, or Main Street, before ending at the downtown square for a community pep rally.
Local businesses, organizations, clubs, churches and other community groups have been invited to participate. Quitman ISD is also encouraging residents to line the parade route to support students and staff.
This year’s homecoming will include a special tribute to the 1986 Quitman Bulldog football team, marking the 40th anniversary of its undefeated regular season.
The 1986 Bulldogs became the first team in school history to finish the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record. According to the district, it remains one of only two Quitman teams to accomplish the feat.
Former “Voice of the Bulldogs” Larry Tucker will help recognize players and coaches from the 1986 team on the field at 6:45 p.m., before Friday evening’s homecoming ceremonies.
Students across the district have also been preparing for the celebration.
Quitman High School floral design students have been creating traditional homecoming mums while putting principles and elements of floral design into practice. Advanced students have taken on a larger project, designing and constructing a “mega mum” that will be displayed during the homecoming festivities.
Students had to plan the design using realistic, cost-effective materials and work through problems that arose during construction.
The district announced last week that the parade would proceed as planned, citing cooler weather expected for the event.
Homecoming activities will culminate Friday evening with the Bulldogs’ homecoming football game and ceremonies.