By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— To show their support for the Pelham football players, cheerleaders and coaching staff, many of the parents planned a special homecoming dinner at The Gaslight House Oct. 6.

“We haven’t really done anything like this at Pelham,” said Carla Christian. “This certainly was an opportunity for the parents and the community to rally together.”

Christian’s son, Connor, is a senior linebacker on the football team. She’s been involved in Pelham athletics for four years now, and said she really enjoyed being able to show her support for the program.

The homecoming dinner started at 6 p.m. at The Gaslight House in Pelham. The venue was decorated in a Pelham Panther theme, with green and gold balloons and centerpieces.

The dinner consisted of a main entrée, dessert and salad, catered by Pelham supporters, such as Joe’s Italian and the Aidans (parents of senior football player Giovanny Aidan).

Other supports, such as Kristy Redford of Trustmark Mortgage, Danielle Turner of Keller Williams Reality and V&W Supply Company, Inc., provided donations for gift bags and raffle items.

Christian said there were door prizes that were raffled off throughout the evening to the players and cheerleaders, and the event featured selfie stations, corn hole, music, a pie eating contest and more.

“(Conner) wrote me and my husband the nicest text, telling us how much he appreciated it and the other seniors appreciated it,” Christian said of the event.

She said the whole goal of the night was to give the students a homecoming night to remember and to celebrate before the homecoming game against Briarwood.

It took a lot of planning from the parents and supporters, according to Christian, and she thanked all of the parents who volunteered to help out at the dinner.

“It was absolutely (a great time),” Christian said. “The whole thing of having school spirit and seeing the community come together to show the support of the athletics was great.”