For the first time in about 10 years, the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Homecoming Parade will return Sept. 29, reviving a tradition meant to unite students, families and the wider community.

Beginning at 5 p.m., more than 20 student clubs and teams made up of over 550 participants will walk from Ladue Middle School to the high school. The event is organized by Student Council, which oversees the planning and logistics. STUCO faculty advisor Steve Boyd worked with council members to organize the event and revive the tradition.

“Student Council was looking to increase school spirit, and the athletic department reminded us that we used to have a Homecoming parade,” Boyd said. “We thought it’d be a good idea to bring [the parade] back.”

Planning began in January, shortly after last year’s Homecoming, when the council expanded to 40 students—10 from each grade. In the previous years, the student council had been much smaller, with only 6 to 8 students total.

“With the number of incredible Student Council members, we thought this was something we could take on, and everybody stepped up,” Boyd said. “We’re expecting a really good parade.”

This year’s parade theme, We are Ladue, intends to celebrate school pride beyond the football game and performances. After the parade reaches the high school’s north parking lot, Blue and White Night will begin, featuring the annual Powderpuff  Game and bonfire.

“Even though it’s the Homecoming parade, it’s not just about the football game and the dance,” Boyd said. “We have over 20 groups and organizations in the parade, and we want to celebrate all of them.”

The band will lead the route, followed by cheerleaders, athletic teams, the Board of Education and Grand Marshal Superintendent Jim Wipke.

“I’m really looking forward to the band leading the parade down Conway and to the [high] school,” Boyd said. “I know our football team’s planning to give away beads. I’m also interested to see the decorations, the trucks, the convertibles—all that.”

City officials and the Ladue Police Department will close the north lane of Conway Road for the parade while keeping the south lane open for emergency traffic. Spectators are asked to gather on the north side of the street.

“The City of Ladue, Ladue Police Department and middle school have been great to work with,” Boyd said.

Organizers hope the revived parade will become a lasting part of the high school’s Homecoming tradition. 

“This is going to be a learning experience,” Boyd said. “I do think it’s going to be a great parade, but I’m sure we might have a hiccup or two along the way. We’ll learn from it, and next year’s parade will be even better.”