DIXFIELD — Thunderstorms predicted to hit Western Maine on Friday prompted Dirigo High School officials to bump Friday night’s traditional homecoming parade to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Such a move has been unheard of since 2001, Student Council adviser Karen Phair said Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s supposed to rain on Friday, which isn’t a real problem, but with thunderstorms in the forecast, we decided not to take a chance,” Phair said. “I’m not thrilled that the weather is not cooperating.”
According to the National Weather Service website in Gray, there’s a 50 percent chance of rain during the day Friday and a 70 percent chance that night.
Depending on how problematic the weather becomes, class competitions, like soccer and volleyball, may be held indoors, Phair said. This year, 340 or more students will participate in the events.
“The last time we did this contingency plan was in 2001, I think, so it’s been a while,” she said. “For three years running back then, we had it inside and we’ve had it outside since then.”
The parade will start at the bank at the intersection of Routes 2 and 142 in downtown Dixfield and travel north on Route 142 to the high school. The theme this year is television networks.
“We usually get a great turnout for the parade. It’s fun,” Phair said.
“Seniors will do Nickelodeon, juniors will do The Discovery Channel, sophomores will do Disney, and freshmen will do ESPN. I hope they can ramp up work on their floats to be ready for Thursday night. It’s just one of those things and you have to go with the flow.”
After the parade, a bonfire will be held at the high school.
Students this week have come to school dressed to match daily themes geared to sports, science fiction and cartoons. Thursday’s theme is music video and Friday’s is class colors, Phair said.
As for athletic competitions with other schools, she said those will go on as scheduled. Although games set for Friday will start at 3 p.m. instead of 3:30 p.m. Ironically, the time was moved up to allow for the homecoming parade, she said.
Homecoming athletic competitions include:
* Golf against Mountain Valley High School on Thursday at the Oakdale course.
* Boys’ soccer against Mount Abram Regional High School and field hockey against Mountain Valley starting at 3 p.m. on Friday.
* Dirigo girls’ soccer junior varsity team playing Mount Abram at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by varsity girls’ soccer at 10:30 a.m., and football with Jay High School starting at 2 p.m.
The homecoming dance will be held Saturday evening.
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