Saturday, Oct. 24, hundreds of people lined Elden and Lynn streets in downtown Herndon to show how much they care about students and the Herndon community. Photo courtesy of Town of Herndon’s Parks and Recreation Department
The Town of Herndon hosted its annual homecoming parade the morning of Saturday, Oct. 24. Mayor Lisa Merkel, the town council and police chief judged the parade. Homecoming spirit was evident as people lined Elden and Lynn streets to cheer athletes, performers, politicians, community groups and the Homecoming Court. "The Herndon Homecoming parade is always my favorite day of the year,” said Mayor Merkel. “Seeing so many friends and neighbors along Elden Street, cheering and waving is at the heart of what so many of us love about living in a small town, hometown Herndon!"
Videotaping the parade were volunteers with Herndon Community Television (HCTV), a nonprofit, cable access PEG station based in Herndon. Herndon High students Jack Norcross and Emily Yen reported on scene at the 2015 Herndon Homecoming Parade. The Herndon community enjoyed town-wide support for the treasured Herndon tradition. “It is a great small town experience. We really love the band,” said Tami Savage, who watched the parade with her husband.
THE THEME this year for the parade was superheroes. Members of the Herndon freshmen class of 2019 attended dressed as Power Rangers, and the junior class of 2017 had a float on the theme of the Marvel Avengers. The class of 2018 had a float which used the theme of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the senior class of 2016 had a float designed on DC Comic characters. The senior class of 2016 won the award for Best Class Float and the Pride of Herndon band took the Best in Parade award.
“It is great to see all the kids. We have a senior in the school dance team. The marching band is always fun,” said Reston resident Magnus Nylund, who watched the parade with his family. “We always come every year, it is a great time to meet people and friends,” said Urania Rodrigues, a resident of Herndon whose daughter studied at Herndon High.
The parade had 48 registered units and nearly 1,500 participants marching. There were many creative and inspiring applications of the superhero theme, from tributes to heroes like our teachers, police and firefighters, to the role models sixth graders are for younger elementary students. Support from the community was outstanding as hundreds of people lined Elden and Lynn streets to show they care about students and the Herndon community.
Highlights included the St. Joseph’s School Cheerleaders, Herndon High School Dance Team, Herndon High School NJROTC, the Class of 2019 and several Girl Scout troops from around the region. Presiding over the parade were Herndon High School Principal William Bates, Mayor Lisa Merkel, Vice Mayor Jennifer Baker and Councilmembers Dave Kirby, Steve Mitchell, Sheila Olem, Jasbinder Singh, and Grace Wolf, and Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard.
Trophies were presented to the first and second place winners in the Civic, Performing Arts, School, Show, and Class Float categories. In addition, the judges selected the Richard F. Downer Theme Award and the Major Robert C. Church Best in Parade winners.
“I heard from several parents, friends, and alumni how much they love coming out and watching such a great tradition. It is very rewarding for the parks and recreation staff to collaborate with the high school and so many of the youth-serving groups in Herndon to produce the parade! We are also proud to support the schools in our belief that All Children are Capable of Success, No Exceptions,” said Cindy Roeder, director of the Town of Herndon’s Parks and Recreation Department.
AWARD RECIPIENTS included:
Civic Group
First Place – Herndon Optimists Youth Sports
Second Place – Cub Scout Pack 1570
Performing Arts Group
First Place – Herndon High School Step Team
Second Place – Herndon Middle School Step Team
School Group
First Place – Dranesville Elementary School
Second Place – Clearview Elementary School sixth grade
Show Group
First Place – Fairfax County Fire Department Station 4
Second Place – Herndon Cable TV-Channel 23
Class Floats
First Place – Herndon High School Class of 2016
Second Place – Herndon High School Class of 2017
Richard F. Downer Theme Award – Herndon High School Class of 2018
Major Robert C. Church Award – Best in Parade – Pride of Herndon, Herndon High School Band