Homecoming At Des Moines North High School Includes First Parade In Decades

DES MOINES, IA -- The sounds of North High School's growing marching band filled the streets Wednesday as the Polar Bears paraded from the Ding Darling shelter at Birdland Park to the high school for its first homecoming parade that alumni could recall since the 1970s. The event was organized by the North High Booster Club.

From volleyball players to a collective of neighborhood associations, the parade participants tossed candy and clapped along to the school song as they greeted North High supporters along the route.

George "the Chili King" and Karen Karaidos served as grand marshals and joined the parade with friends Vicki and Jerry Shepherd, riding in style in classic cars. Karen Karaidos and Vicki Shepherd graduated from North in 1967.

The North High Alumni Association and the booster club provided grilled hot dogs, chips and cookies at a tailgate following the parade and preceding the annual PowderPuff football game. (Senior girls won the game, beating the juniors 28-7.)

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North's homecoming celebration will continue Friday with the crowning of homecoming royalty; an alumni-sponsored catered tailgate for students, staff and alumni; a community Stand Against Violence walk; entertainment by rapper Will Keeps; and the homecoming game at 7 p.m. against Hoover High School.

Previously on Patch: Harding Middle School Students' Stand Against Violence Leads To Community Walk

Main Photo: North High volleyball players created a sport-themed float for the homecoming parade Oct. 4, 2017. /Photos courtesy of Jessi Myers, North High Alumni Association