Centennial Homecoming Parade Termed by Many “Best One Ever”

Those who have seen many parades through the streets of Los Fresnos for decades called the Centennial Homecoming Parade Nov. 5 the “best Homecoming Parade ever.”

The parade, featuring floats from all 14 Los Fresnos CISD schools depicting the decades over the last 100 years, was a flashback through time.

The first Los Fresnos CISD school opened in 1915, and there everyone watching the floats cruise down Arroyo Boulevard learned about history.

Highlights of each float included:

1915: Las Yescas Elementary made its float a one-room school house, complete with old wooden desks and a chalkboard. Students and the teachers were dressed in attire from the era. Boys wore blue jeans and suspenders.

1920s: Liberty Memorial Middle School featured student dancers in costumes from the Roaring’ 20s, with music played by bugle and trombone by LMMS teachers. A vintage 1929 car followed the students. The Patriot band also performed.

1930s: Rancho Verde Elementary’s float showed a home that withstood the great 1933 hurricane, and the first Cub Scout group that formed in Los Fresnos in 1936. Pictures from the LFHS Senior Classes from the 1936, 1938 and 1939 wee also displayed, showing less than 10 seniors in each class.

1940s: Dora Romero Elementary and Resaca Middle School students held signs of the first enclosed gym built in 1947. Riding on the float with current students was Mercedes Cantu, a 1949 LFHS graduate. The Resaca band also performed.

1950s: Palmer-Laakso Elementary students dressed and danced to the music of the Fabulous 50s, including many in poodle skirts and a soda shop. Elvis Presley music was played and a sign showed that a Coca-Cola bottle sold for 5 cents.

1960s: Olmito Elementary students and staff dressed in 1960s attire from the Woodstock festival. Many held Peace signs appropriate during the Vietnam conflict. Beatles music played. Two students rode in a 1960s classic cart dressed as President and Mrs. Kennedy.

1970s: Laureles Elementary dressed and danced to music of the 1970s disco era, including many Afro wigs. Some dressed from the movies Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Jaws and Star Wars. There was a Jedi Knight, Obi-wan Kenobi, and Princess Leah from Star Wars.

1980s: Los Fresnos Elementary featured the costumes of the 1980s, including using Aqua Net hair spray and a hard rock musician. The float featured wee E.T., MTV, Pac-Man, Rubik’s Cube, Rocky, Back to the Future, Michael Jackson, Ronald Reagan, Karate Kid, Super Mario, and the first mobile phone.

1990s: Lopez-Riggins and Villareal Elementaries had floats featuring the first Falcon team that qualified for the playoffs in 30 years, and another with Buster the Bus. The LRE Wranglers and Wranglerettes performed, along with the VES cheer and dance groups.

2000s: Los Cuates Middle School showed the four schools built in the decade, and signs of technology of the first IPod, Facebook, YouTube, Skype, and the expansion of the Internet. The LCMS Band and cheerleaders also performed.

2010s: Los Fresnos High School and Los Fresnos United’s float featured the changes of technology including the iPad, Twitter, Netflix, Skype and emojis. The LFHS Band, cheerleaders and Stars dance team also performed, and the Homecoming court candidates rode on vehicles. The football and volleyball teams also rode flat-bed trailers.

Future: Students in the ACE After-School programs dressed in futuristic costumes and a futuristic school bus.

After the parade, a pep rally followed at Memorial Park featuring performances on a strobe-light stage. The night was highlighted with the traditional burning of the LF letters, which shone brightly in the night sky.