By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor
Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers,
who moved to Alabaster last summer, had a hard time believing the city hadn’t
held a homecoming parade in nearly half a century before Sept. 25.
“From someone new to Alabaster, I wouldn’t have known
you have not had a (homecoming) parade here in 50 years,” Vickers told the
thousands gathered in Larry Simmons Stadium following the parade. “It is
excellent for our football players, our coaches, our band and the students to
see the number of people that are filling our stadium tonight.”
Shelby County Historical Society President Bobby Joe
Seales, a lifetime Alabaster resident who attended the parade, confirmed the
city’s last homecoming parade was held in 1966.
“For the first one in 50 years, y’all did not
disappoint,” Mayor Marty Handlon said. “Y’all came out large and in charge.”
During the event, more than 40 floats traveled from
Thompson Middle School down Warrior Drive, turned right onto Thompson Road and
left onto Alabama 119 before making their way back to Larry Simmons Stadium.
Following the parade, the crowd made its way to the
stadium for a community pep rally featuring the THS band, Alabaster school
cheerleaders and football players. Before the THS varsity football team walked
onto the field, May Goggins and Sky Cofer rode their horses onto the field,
spiking a spear into the ground and waving the THS flag.
For THS head football coach Mike Montgomery and his
players, the community’s support did not go unnoticed.
“On behalf of our staff and players, we love you and
we appreciate your support,” Montgomery said. “It is a blessing for us to be
ambassadors for our city.”
The THS wrestling team took the award for the most
spirited float, Meadow View Elementary School won best theme and the THS senior
class float was named the best overall.
