Tom Munds

The homecoming ship docks at Englewood High School the week of Sept. 15, kicking off a flurry of student activities ranging from special events during lunch time to building floats for the big parade.

Actually, activities get rolling Sept. 12 with homecoming kickoff assemblies and wrap up with the homecoming dance Sept. 20.

This year float builders can use their imaginations because the theme, “Neon Bliss,” allows a wide range of interpretations.

Everything planned in the early part of next week are for and about students.

Because each of the four classes — freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors — vie to earn class points, organizers come up with lunch-time contests that can range from a dance-off to an air guitar competition.

A series of activities fill the Sept. 17 calendar. Students dress up for rock-star day, and there is an air guitar competition at lunch. That is a busy evening, with the powder puff football game at 6:30 p.m.

The powder puff game is flag football, when the girls of the freshman and sophomore classes join forces against a team of juniors and seniors.

Because the girls are playing football, it is logical for boys, many of them football players, to don the proper attire, pick up the pompoms and become the cheerleaders.

The usually spirited powder puff game is followed by the homecoming pep rally in the fieldhouse at 7:30 p.m., and the evening’s activities wrap up with the snake dance on the practice field for the bonfire at about 8 p.m.

Student-related activities are scheduled Sept. 18, and a busy day is scheduled Sept. 19.

Not long after lunch on that day, middle school and high school classes end for the day so kids can get ready to take part in the parade and allow those who aren’t in the parade to watch.

In keeping with long-standing tradition, the Pirate marching band will lead the parade, stepping off from the starting point at 1:30 p.m. and marching along the new route.

Along with the high school, the Englewood Middle School band will march in the parade.

The event features homecoming royalty riding in convertibles and floats from the four classes, school clubs and the cheerleaders.

The parade will follow the route established last year for the first time, forming up on West Union Avenue, adjacent to Englewood Middle School, 300 W. Chenango Ave.

The bands, floats and marching groups will then proceed north on Delaware and go past Clayton Elementary School before turning east on Tufts Avenue. The parade will cross Broadway, pass Cherrelyn Elementary School and turn north of Logan Street with the parade ending in the student parking lot at Englewood High School.

Just as the day’s light is fading, the focus again shifts to Englewood High School Stadium for the homecoming game against Alameda.

Usually, students and alumni fill the stands for the game and cheer for the Pirates. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and admission is $5 for adults and $4 for students with school identification.

Halftime is extended for homecoming as royalty is introduced and two members of the senior class are named homecoming king and queen.

After the game, old acquaintances can be renewed at the alumni social in the commons at the high school. All Englewood alumni are invited and the event is free.

Sept. 20, the week’s activities wrap up with the homecoming dance. In keeping with tradition, the dance will be from 8 p.m. to midnight in the school commons. Tickets are sold at the commons during the lunch periods and the in-advance cost is $15 per person and $25 per couple.