High school students and even elementary school students, staff and parents paraded down Pioneer Way to raise spirit for Homecoming and downtown Oak Harbor on Oct. 20.

More than 20 groups participated in the parade. Pioneer Way was lined with smiling watchers and children chasing candy thrown by parade participants.

The Oak Harbor police escorted the parade on motorcycles, followed by NJROTC and the Oak Harbor High School Band. Oak Harbor Elementary School’s traffic safety team, Crescent Harbor Elementary School’s K-Kids Club and Broad View Elementary School’s safety patrol team and flag marching team plus high school Spanish, French, robotics, media arts and Trailblazers clubs, class floats, the Parent-Teacher Association and more paved the way for the Oak Harbor High School cheerleaders and football team. Homecoming royalty followed in convertible cars.

“I really felt a huge sense of community spirit and pride among your audience. The parade was exactly what the community needed,” said Karen Crouch, special events coordinator for the city of Oak Harbor. Crouch said it was great to see smiles on everyone’s faces and after the parade she saw people heading into the shops and restaurants, which is just what downtown needs.