Healdsburg's Homecoming Weekend Starts with a Parade

The Homecoming got off to a rolling start with a parade on Friday afternoon, leaving the high school at 4 p.m. and headed for the .

After a rainy week, Friday's sun came out just in time for a "spirited" event -- in more ways than one.

Floats from each of the four classes -- freshman, sophomore, junior and senior (classes of 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively) -- were decorated to match this year's theme, .

Truckbeds sprouted gravestones, spiderwebs, bare-limbed trees, ghouls and zombies.

The parade then headed down Fitch Street, past the , to the broadcast sound of "The Monster Mash," from Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers (a 1962 novelty hit that just won't die).

Vehicles then turned west to connect with Center Street, where they converged at the Plaza.

At the Plaza, meanwhile, HHS's was performing two dances. Troupe members Brenda Beltran, Jose Gonzalez, Javier Alvarez and Gladys Gomez donned traditional colorful costumes and danced to recorded music.

After that, the HHS "Pep" band performed spooky songs, such as Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

By that time, the floats arrived, accompanied by e and escorts. They proceeded to circle the Plaza, sirens and kids screaming and horns honking all the way.

They exited going east on Matheson, toward the site of tonight's against visiting Analy High at and

Prior to the floats, HHS "royalty" {i.e. homecoming courts from each class) rode in the parade in cars donated by

"This is the first year [in recent times] that we're doing it," said Healdsburg Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Harding of the parade, which was last done about about 2003.

Festivities ended just in time to get ready for

Tune back to Healdsburg Patch this weekend for game coverage.

A homecoming dance is also planned for Saturday night at

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