Clifton Forge Getting Fired Up for AHS Homecoming Parade
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Clifton Forge, VA (Sept. 16, 2024) - Clifton Forge is excited to host the second annual Alleghany High School Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The school’s first homecoming parade in Covington was a huge success and organizers hope to spread the community’s enthusiasm by holding the event in Clifton Forge this year.
The parade will begin at 7 p.m. in downtown Clifton Forge followed by a bonfire and pep rally at Memorial Park, located beside the former Clifton Forge High School.
Clifton Forge officials are encouraging businesses to decorate windows in a show of support for Alleghany High School and its students.
“We are very excited to be hosting the homecoming parade and related events this year,” Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine said. “Clifton Forge stands behind the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division and its students. We are tickled that the high school chose Clifton Forge to host the parade.”
Livy’s Closest on Ridgeway Street was the first Clifton Forge business to feature homecoming décor in its storefront window as excitement building for the parade. Jenny Oeltjen of Livy’s wants other business owners along Ridgeway to join the fun.
“We are so excited to have Clifton Forge host this year’s homecoming festivities. We didn’t find out we were getting to do it until just recently. When we found out, it was just like a big thumbs-up all the way,” Oeltjen said.
Olde Town Covington is also participating in the community celebration of homecoming. Businesses and residents are being encouraged to “Paint the City Blue.”
“We will not be holding a contest this year however, we have encouraged local businesses within downtown Covington as well as those located from the I-64 exit at Walmart to Casey Field to show their school spirit and decorate their storefronts and windows,” said Jennifer Smith, interim president of Olde Town Covington.
Alleghany’s homecoming football game will be played at Casey Field on Friday, Sept. 20. The Cougars will host the Greenbrier East Spartans. The game will kick off at 7 p.m.
Clifton Forge Town Manager Chuck Unroe said the overall support for the homecoming celebration proves that the Alleghany Highlands School Division is bringing the Alleghany Highlands together. The school division was created in July 2022 when Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center merged. Alleghany County and the City of Covington jointly fund the school division.
“We are thrilled to see the homecoming celebration come to Clifton Forge this year. We are also extremely excited to see businesses and residents of the City of Covington join in to ‘Paint the City Blue.’ This is truly a community celebration,” Unroe said.
In 2025, Covington will again host the homecoming celebration. Plans call for the event to be rotated between Covington and Clifton Forge each year. | | | | | |
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