PARIS – Area residents, candidates for public office and businesses have donated funds for 40 $100 scholarships to be raffled during this year’s Oxford Hills School District homecoming Aspire Higher Parade on Saturday.

The parade, also known as the annual Walk for Education, aims to encourage students to begin planning and saving for their higher education, Superintendent Mark Eastman said.

Scholarships will be raffled during halftime of the homecoming football game. Eastman said the purpose of the random giveaway is to encourage students – whether they be in kindergarten or seniors in high school – to save toward higher education. Adults pursuing further education are also eligible.

Waterford residents Linda Cleveland and her son Nate, who is in second grade, will be the grand marshals. Both won scholarships last year, Eastman said. Linda won one for adult education.

Lineup for the parade is at 10:45 a.m. and the parade begins at 11:30. The parade starts at Oxford Hills Middle School on Pine Street and ends at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School athletic complex on Alpine Street.

Anyone can march, even if they are not affiliated with the schools, Eastman said.

The football game with Lewiston High School starts at 1 p.m. In addition to being the homecoming game, it is also the senior game, Eastman said, so senior football players will be honored.

Scholarship winners will be announced during halftime. Eastman said the district usually tries to get a celebrity announcer. Last year, it was Gov. John Baldacci. This year it’s either Lewy or Kollide – mascots for the Lewiston Maineiacs hockey team.