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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alabaster City Schools will join together for its annual homecoming celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 25 under the theme “Together We Rise.”

Each of Alabaster’s schools will be involved in homecoming festivities which will begin with the annual Homecoming Parade at 6 p.m. at Thompson High School.

“Homecoming is a truly special and exciting event, not just for Alabaster City Schools but for the entire community,” Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. “I’m incredibly proud of how everyone collaborates to ensure the success of homecoming year after year. Thompson’s strong traditions are well reflected in the deep bonds current students and alumni have with their school and alma mater.”

The family of longtime voice of Warrior athletics, Jerry Young, will serve as the grand marshals of this year’s parade in recognition of Young’s lasting contribution to Thompson athletics.

For the parade, the Kent Dairy Road entrance to the campus will close at 4:30 p.m. and the Thompson Road entrance will close at 6 p.m. Parking will be available in the back lot and both side lots of THS. Stadium parking will be closed and Warrior Parkway will be closed during the parade. School resource officers will be stationed at Thompson Road, Kent Dairy Road and at various points throughout.

The homecoming parade will travel around the Thompson High School campus, beginning near the back parking lot and ending at Warrior Parkway. The floats will travel down the center of the road, so attendees are encouraged to use both sides of the road for viewing and to maintain a safe distance from the floats.

Prizes will be awarded for parade participants with the following categories under consideration:

• Best Overall
• Best Class Float (for Thompson High School)
• Most Creative
• Best Use of Theme
• Most Spirit

“Homecoming at THS and across ACS is such a special occasion each and every year,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Wesley Hester said. “I always look forward to the excitement exhibited by our students and community. The dress-up days, spirit activities, community parade and pep rally, homecoming court, football games and our homecoming dances make Alabaster City Schools second to none when it comes to homecoming celebration.”

Following the parade, the homecoming celebration will continue with a community pep rally at Warrior Stadium which will begin at 7 p.m. The evening of festivities will conclude with a fireworks display in honor of homecoming and Warrior alumni.

“It’s a great day to be a Warrior and a great time to celebrate homecoming in Alabaster,” Hester said.