homecoming away from home

This past week was both Polson and Ronan’s homecoming. I was in charge of the Polson side of things and Sasha took Ronan.
Polson shut down last Friday for the homecoming parade. I posted up near Cherry Valley elementary and Aimee came with for entertainment.
As we got out of my car, a couple classes were making their way to the side of the street to wait for the parade. As they exited the school, they all had on purple construction-paper pirate hats and were all yelling “AARGH.” It was one of the cutest things and entertaining.
Aimee and I wondered how this would shake out with over 100 small children watching a parade where candy was being thrown to them. The first reaction for anyone when candy is thrown at them is to run to it, for fear of competition, and claim it. Usually, the responsible-adult-to-small-child ratio is more even but at the school, there were the usual number of teachers and admins watching over the kids. Surprisingly, the children listened to the teachers and no one was run over.
The parade was like nothing I have experienced. In my high school, we had 13 king and 13 queen candidates for a 300-student class. They nominees were announced the Friday before our homecoming game. The following Wednesday, coronation was held in the gym and every candidate was announced at the football game, with the king and queen throwing t-shirts out.
They do things different in Montana.
A parade through town during the day. The town pretty much shut down so everyone could go see.
The 4 king and 4 queen candidates were paired up and each got to ride in a car with their names on the side. The girls were decked out in fancy gowns and hair while the guys made some effort to put on a nice shirt/pants combination.
Each class had their own float and each fall sport also decorated a vehicle.
I have to say that Polson’s parade was bigger than I thought it would be. Not sure how Ronan’s was but I’m sure it was comparable.

I was able to go to my first Polson football game. Usually, I am in Charlo, St. Ignatius and Arlee on Friday nights. This time, I was able to stay for the whole game which was pretty neat.
Many times I was asked if I was taking pictures for the yearbook. Nope. I’m taking them for my full-time job. At the paper.
Really?
No homecomings are this week. Next week, Arlee and Charlo crown their kings and queens and we will cover it.


three highlights of the week:
-Polson boys soccer- beat Bigfork to continue their state–tournament hopes
-Arlee vb- the Scarlets took third in their tournament- see paper tomorrow
-the 2009-10 NHL season starts this week. finally.

upcoming attractions:
-Polson volleyball-the Pirates travel to their biggest competition, Libby, to test their undefeated streak
-Polson soccer- the Pirates have their last home games on Friday night. If a youth player wears their youth jersey to the game, they get in free.
-did I mention the 2009-10 NHL season starts this week?