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The Pelham High School marching band led the homecoming Panther Prowl Parade on Oct. 11. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

PELHAM – Parade-goers lined Bearden Road from Pelham High School to the entrance of Pelham City Park for the city’s fourth homecoming Panther Prowl Parade on Thursday, Oct. 11.

The crowd enjoyed cooler fall weather as the temperature dropped down into the 60s that evening, which was a break from the 80-degree days that area had been experiencing.

The parade, led by the Pelham High School marching band, featured school clubs, cheerleaders, sports teams and much more. Children lined the streets eager to get their fair share of candy being thrown.

After the parade, the crowd transitioned to the youth football field at Pelham City Park for the city’s first Community Pep Rally, sponsored by the Pelham City Schools Foundation. The event also served as a fundraiser for the organization and its introduction to the city.

As the stands quickly filled, the crowd began pouring onto the football field. The pep rally included performances by the marching band, cheerleaders and a Faculty Face-off Dance/Lip Sync Battle featuring a group of performers from each school.  There was also a raffle, food trucks and a DJ.

Denise Hartley, who has two children in Pelham schools and has been a resident of Pelham for 10 years, said she’s pleased with the changes that have taken place with the school system over the past several years.

“I think all the changes were for the better,” she said. “I like that we’re making decisions locally and I feel like we’re coming together more as a community. Events like this allow us to celebrate together and it builds morale.”

Hartley said she likes the idea of an annual community pep rally.

“It’s neat to see the younger kids and the older kids together,” she said. “I would definitely like to see more events like this.”

See more photos from this event at ShelbyCountyPhotos.com.

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