Homecoming Tradition Rolls Through Colby as Eagles Get Ready for Game Night

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There are some things you can count on in Colby.

The Eagles will take the field.

The community will show up.

And when it’s Homecoming, Colby knows how to make some noise.

That tradition was on full display this afternoon as the annual Homecoming Parade made its way through town, bringing students, families, grandparents and plenty of Eagle pride together ahead of tonight’s matchup between the Colby Eagles and the Southwestern Heights Mustangs at Dennen Field.

The parade began at Fike Park before heading south down Franklin Street, turning onto 3rd Street and making its way toward Dennen Field.

Along the route, the sidewalks were packed, especially in front of the elementary and middle schools, where students crowded the street and sat along the curb waiting for the parade to come through.

And when it did, they were ready.

Candy flew through the air. Kids scrambled to scoop up their favorites. Smiles, laughter and cheers filled the streets as the orange and black pride of Colby was on full display.

Downtown was packed, too, as community members gathered to take in one of those classic Colby moments. Generations came together to celebrate their school, their town and their Eagles.

Leading the way was the Thomas County Sheriff, followed by the Colby pep band. The band marched through town playing music and helping set the tone for an afternoon full of Homecoming spirit.

Then came the floats.

Each class put its own spin on the Homecoming tradition, bringing creativity, school spirit and plenty of color to the parade. Homecoming attendants dressed to the max rode through town in the backs of pickup trucks, waving to the crowd and soaking in the cheers.

This year’s Homecoming attendants include:

• Freshmen: Brynnley McLemore and Carson Newell

• Sophomores: Campbell Breon and Joston Sabatka

• Juniors: Jack Denny and Ali Cox

• Seniors: Joslyn Bartlett, Cora Degood, Morgan Hills, Dayton Johnson, Sean Wederski, Kieren Youngman, Nathan Cates and Boston Woofter

The cheer and dance team kept the energy going from the back of a pickup, bringing plenty of enthusiasm as the parade rolled toward the field.

And then there was a parade favorite that had plenty of people smiling: the Eagle bus and the “Rowdy Grannies.”

This group of grandmas has become a familiar and beloved part of the Eagle family. They support Colby athletics and help with fundraisers, and they brought their own special brand of Eagle spirit to the parade. They proved once again that you are never too old to get rowdy for the Eagles!

As the parade made its way to Dennen Field, the excitement only grew.

The fire truck and Colby Police Department brought up the rear before the parade arrived at the field, where the crowd gathered for a Homecoming pep rally.

With the team preparing for tonight’s game, the cheer and dance team helped fire up the crowd, with Elvis the Eagle right there in the middle of it all.

Because that’s what Homecoming is about.

It’s football, certainly.

It’s the anticipation of Friday night lights, the band playing, the cheerleaders cheering, the crowd getting loud and the Eagles taking the field.

But it’s also about tradition.

It’s about elementary school kids sitting on a curb waiting for candy. It’s about high school students riding through town with their classmates. It’s about parents, grandparents, teachers and neighbors lining the streets.

It’s about the people who have cheered for the Eagles for decades and the kids who are just beginning their own Homecoming memories.

And tonight, all of that Eagle pride comes together under the lights at Dennen Field.

The Colby Eagles take on the Southwestern Heights Mustangs with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

If you can, come out to Dennen Field and be part of the Homecoming crowd. Bring your orange and black, bring your Eagle spirit and get ready to make some noise!

Can't make it to the game? You can still follow all the action with Garrett Wellbrock bringing you the play-by-play on 100.3 The Ride.

And when the final whistle blows, the Homecoming tradition continues with the Homecoming Coronation, where this year’s royalty will be recognized at the end of the game.

So grab your orange and black, find a spot in the stands and get ready.

Because in Colby, Homecoming isn’t just a game.

It’s a community tradition. It’s a celebration. And it’s time for some Eagle football!

Want to see more of today’s Homecoming celebration? Check out the NWKS Radio Facebook page for all the parade photos and the full video of the parade.