Wednesday, November 13, 2024
One of the most anticipated community annual events of the Town of Herndon's culture returned on Nov. 9 as area residents cheered the Herndon High School Homecoming Parade and Football Game 2024.
The homecoming spirit was evident as family, friends, and residents, Herndon High alums or not, lined both sides of the streets along the parade route. Porch parties raged from Locust Street to Elden in the town's historic district, offering that small-town vibe and an opportunity to come together as one and socialize.
The parade began at 9:30 that morning with two units from the Herndon Police Motor Squad leading a lineup of 47 units, including community groups, the local high school marching band and football team, and vibrant floats. It ended nearly two hours later on Lynn Street near the Red Caboose, after the Herndon Town Council, state and national elected officials, and others ceremonially presided over the parade and judged units.
Del. Irene Shin posted on Facebook that she just loved seeing the "community come together and celebrate our schools, our small businesses, our families, and our diversity. Happy homecoming! Go Hornets."
This year's parade theme, “Out of This World," for Herndon High School, delivered some imaginative floats and costumes. Judges presented trophies to the following first- and second-place winners:
First Place Second Place
Civic Herndon Girl Scouts Service Units 51-9 and 51-11 Herndon Moose Lodge
Performing Arts Herndon HS Step Team Herndon Optimist Youth Cheerleading
School Hutchison Elementary School Dranesville Elementary School
Show Herndon High School Class ‘69 Friends of Madison Drive Space Duck
Class Class of 2025 Class of 2027
In addition, the judges selected the Class of 2025 to receive the Richard F. Downer Theme Award, while the Major Robert E. Church Best in Parade Award went to the Herndon Class of 1969.
Mayor Sheila Olem, Vice Mayor Clark Hedrick, Councilmembers Cesar del Aguila, Pradip Dhakal, and Keven LeBlanc, mayor-elect, as well as Fairfax County School Board member Robyn Lady, Va. Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-8 ), U.S. Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA 11), presided over the parade.
The Herndon Hornets put the icing on HoCo 2024 in a game they will be talking about for years against the Patriots of Yorktown High School, Arlington. The Herndon High School beat the Patriots 42-1 in their fourth victory in a row to raise their record to 8-2.
The Class of 2025’s float at the Herndon High School Homecoming Parade went on to win the First Place Award in the “Class” category.
The Herndon High School color guard executes a choreographed dance routine, twirling flags in sync with music during the Homecoming parade.
The Herndon High School football team
The Herndon High School Band, affectionately called the 'Pride of Herndon,’ marches down Elden Street during Homecoming 2024. It is the oldest band program in Fairfax County.