Heights High Looks To Retain Title At Houston Art Parade

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Art Car Parade gets nearly 250 entries every year and, as always, a big chunk of Houston ISD schools will participate in this year's 31st annual event.

Rebecca Bass at Heights High School is working on her 29th art car and hopes for continued success. Last year’s tribute to Prince won the Mayor’s Cup, and this year the car titled “It’s Only Rock and Roll, But I Like It” is dedicated to the the legendary rock group The Rolling Stones.

The parade will line up along Allen Parkway on Saturday, April 14, and roll out at 2 p.m. into downtown Houston.

For those who want to get jump on the parade, see the cars up close, and talk to the owners, join the “Starting Line Party” along Allen Parkway between Montrose and Sabine Street Bridge at 11 a.m. There will be food trucks, music, beverages, and more.

Nearly 250 cars, bikes, skaters, and motorized creations take about two hours to wind through the streets of Houston and end up back along Allen Parkway. For the parade route and complete details, see Houston Art Car Parade.

Frank Black Middle School, which won last year’s top student-created car, is entering two cars this year. Baylor College of Medicine at Rusk is collaborating with Medical Bridges, which works to bridge the healthcare gap worldwide by procuring and distributing medical equipment and supplies to underserved communities. Lovett Elementary loaned their art car from last year to Rusk. Sam Houston MSTC is working on a limousine.

Carnegie Vanguard High School has received an environmental grant and their art car, “Plastic Pollution,” will promote saving the environment. Kashmere Gardens Elementary and Kashmere and Barbara Jordan high schools are working together on their entry. Pershing Middle is teaming up with a 24-hour emergency health services provider on a white Mercedes. Arabic Immersion Magnet School (AIMS) is expanding on the school’s owl mascot-themed car from last year.

Here is a list of participating HISD schools, including the names and numbers of their art cars, as of press time:

• Arabic Immersion Magnet School (No. 88): Booma, the Driving Owl
• Baylor College of Medicine at Rusk (No. 94): La Ambulancia Loca
• Black Middle School (No. 18): The Mandala Car
• Black Middle School (No. 19): The Panthermobile
• Carnegie Vanguard High School (No. 16): Plastic Pollution
• Condit Elementary School (No. 86): Growing Leaders
• Eastwood Academy (No. 89): Swim Shady
• Garden Oaks Montessori (No. 22): Teach Peace!
• Hamilton Middle School (No. 90): The A-5 Jet Scooter
• Hamilton Middle School (No. 21): Out of This World Huskies
• Harvard Elementary School (No. 23): Harvard Elementary School
• Heights High School (No. 95): It’s Only Rock and Roll…But I Like It!
• Herod Elementary School (No. 93): Herod Hero Tree Art Car
• Horn Elementary School (No. 21): Horn Elementary is Blooming
• Kashmere High School, Barbara Jordan High School, Kashmere Gardens Elementary School (No. 20): Adventure Alive
• Love Elementary School (No. 17): The Mother Widow
• Lovett Elementary School (No. 92): OWL van GO
• Northside High School (No. 25): Northside Mission 1
• Pershing Middle School (No. 24): PandaMobile
• Sam Houston MSTC (No. 26): School of Artists

Top Image: Rebecca Bass and her Heights High School students are working on their Rolling Stones-themed car. (Photo via Houston ISD)