Eagle pride soars at homecoming parade
Published 3:42 pm Friday, October 3, 2025
The Calera Homecoming Parade took place on Thursday, Oct. 2, putting the pride the community has for its Eagles on display. (Reporter photos/Daniel Locke)
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By DANIEL LOCKE | Staff Writer
CALERA – The Calera community came out in numbers to celebrate homecoming with a parade, pep rally and block party on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 2.
The parade route began at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and U.S. 31 at 6 p.m. Floats and cool vehicles carrying athletic teams and cheerleaders of all ages, members of the homecoming court, faculty and staff members at Calera’s schools and city leadership, including newly elected Mayor Kenny Dale Cost, made their way down U.S. 31 before turning left onto 17th Avenue, where the route concluded.
The beloved Calera High School Marching Band, the Soaring Sound of Dixie, served as one of the parade’s biggest highlights.
Following the parade, Cost addressed the crowd, then the band and cheerleaders put on a pep rally at the Main Street Pavilion. A block party closed out the evening’s festivities.
Cost enjoyed the experience, as it reminded him just how special the Calera community actually is. From being greeted by so many smiling faces to enjoying the music played by the band, Cost is happy to see the tradition return on an annual basis.
“It was one of the most enjoyable homecoming parades that I’ve been in,” Cost said. “People are so friendly and happy, and them coming out and getting on the streets and just waving and just enjoying themselves. It was a great feeling for the city to be bonded together. I’ve got to give Main Street the big award for getting out there and bringing this together the way it used to be years ago.”
Other members of Calera’s leadership enjoyed having an opportunity to interact with members of the community and show their support for the Eagles.
“The excitement was in the street with citizens cheering and kids scooping up tossed candy,” City Council Member Debbie Byers said. “The excitement continued with the pep rally. The school spirit was amazing.”
The event was hosted by Calera Main Street, and the honor of putting the event together was not lost on it.
“Hosting the homecoming parade meant a great deal to Calera Main Street because it reflects exactly what we aim to do—bring our community, city and local businesses together,” said Calera Main Street’s Dee Starkey. “The event was more than just a parade. It was a chance to celebrate our shared values and showcase the pride and spirit that make Calera special.”
Seeing the community come together to celebrate is always a rewarding experience for Calera Main Street, as bringing people together is what the organization exists to do.
“Community support is the heart of everything Calera Main Street stands for,” Starkey said. “We’ve had conversations with many lifelong residents who shared how much the parade meant to them years ago, and it was powerful to bring that tradition back. Partnering with the high school and working alongside band director Luke Manning gave us the chance to remind our students that they are surrounded by a community that truly believes in them and supports them.”
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