Oxford was positively buzzing with activity last Friday afternoon.

A large crowd was already enjoying some of the First Friday events in downtown Oxford on a sunny fall afternoon when the annual Homecoming Parade stepped off near the Oxford Memorial Park.

Signs of Hornet pride were everywhere: Windows of businesses were decorated with “Go Oxford!” messages and spectators wearing plenty of maroon and white lined the streets of downtown Oxford and near the school campus to watch the parade go by.

The Homecoming Parade featured the Oxford Area High School Marching Band, the school’s cheerleaders, and floats representing the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes at the high school, as well as fire trucks and ambulances.

The highlight of the parade, of course, was this year’s Homecoming Court—Olivia O'Mara, Brooke Rush, Miranda Nilan, Anna Hampshire, Haley Anderson, Jaxson Chew, Jared Vining, Doug Hild, Christian McCartney and Justin Neskie.

When the parade reached the school campus, the Oxford Area High School football stadium became the center of the celebration. A large crowd enjoyed the football game as Oxford hosted Unionville.

At halftime of the football game, the Homecoming Court was recognized one more time, and the Homecoming King and Queen were crowned: Christian McCartney was selected as the Homecoming King, while Brooke Rush was named the Homecoming Queen.

It was also announced that the sophomore class had won the coveted spirit stick during the week of Homecoming activities.