Homecoming week kicks off in Charles City

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A week of Homecoming events and activities kicked off on Sunday evening as the Booster Club hosted a tailgate party for the community at Elks Lodge.

Dry weather all week caused a county-wide burn ban to be issued, forcing the club to cut out the planned bonfire. Ironically, dry weather ended up not being a concern as sprinkles turned into a light rain on Sunday evening.

In spite of the wet weather, kids stuck around to enjoy music, games of cornhole and touch football, and free meal of hotdogs and brats provided by Hy-Vee.

The weather was more accommodating on Monday as students ventured out into the city during the afternoon to paint the town in celebration of Homecoming week.

Windows across Main Street and the pavement on Salsbury Avenue were decorated with stars and slogans to hype up the coming football game between the Charles City Comets and the Mason City Riverhawks on Friday.

Between now and then students will have a week of dress-up days to enjoy, with the elementary having silly hat or sock day on Tuesday and team day on Wednesday. Middle school students can dress up as “tacky tourists” on Tuesday and pick between “surfers vs. bikers” on Wednesday. District wide, students can show their patriotism by dressing in red, white, and blue, on Thursday, followed by a day of school colors, orange and gold, on Friday.

A pep rally will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the Comet Gym, followed by the coronation of the Homecoming Court.

Later in the afternoon, at 4:15 p.m., the Homecoming Parade will march down Main Street, followed by the start of the Tailgate Party at Comet Field at 4:30 p.m.

At 5 p.m., the high school will hold the dedication of the “Time Stamp” memorial bench, created by professional artist and Charles City alumni Molly Barrett.

At 7 p.m. the Homecoming Court will be recognized at Comet Field ahead of the varsity football game. The halftime show will feature the high school marching band and dance team performing “A Little Something For Everyone.”

Finally, on Saturday at 8 p.m., the high school students will dress up for a night of dancing at the middle school gym to conclude the week with the homecoming dance.