Pioneer Way was the place to be Wednesday night, as students from the Oak Harbor School District gathered to celebrate homecoming.

High school athletic director Nicky Luper said there were 39 different groups walking in the parade, totalling about 450 to 500 people.

“I think there were more people in it, and I also think there were more spectators,” Luper said.

“It just gets bigger each year.”

The elementary and middle schools were all represented, but the majority of the parade was filled with people from different clubs and activities at the high school including choir, the drama club, the Gay Straight Alliance, sports teams, a small float for each class and so many more.

New to the parade this year was an announcer seated in the center of the parade route to let everyone know which group was crossing at that time. David Peterson, a computer tech with the school district, was the announcer for the parade.

He was an obvious choice because he also announces some sporting events throughout the school year, according to Luper.

One of the senior homecoming princes, Hunter Adams, said that homecoming is “where everybody comes together to celebrate the game, school sprit, the alumni. Where Oak Harbor’s true colors come out.”

The homecoming court, elected by the students of the high school, consisted of a prince and princess from the freshman, sophomore and junior classes, as well as two princes and princesses from the senior class. The homecoming king and queen, chosen from the seniors, were revealed during halftime at the homecoming football game.

Adams was crowned Homecoming King and Becca Pabona was crowned Homecoming Queen.

Mily Larsen, a junior at Oak Harbor High School, participated in the parade for the second time, representing three different school groups.

“This year, I am walking with football, choir and drama club,” she said.

Though she actually walked with choir, she said she was “there in spirit with the drama club,” and wore her football jersey to help represent her team, with whom she played at the homecoming game Friday.

“It’s a chance to show off the school and our clubs to the community,” Larsen said of the parade.

Even parents of students turned out in droves to celebrate homecoming and the schools.

Danell Broyles, mother of two sons walking in the parade, said that she and the rest of her “football family” are most looking forward to the game, but homecoming as a whole is great.

“I think it’s one of the few occasions when the community really gets to come together and support the youth,” Broyles said.