Belle Plaine’s annual Homecoming celebration clicked into high gear Thursday night, with a parade through the business district, followed by a pep rally at the high school.

Taylor Schafbuch and Brian Crow were crowned queen and king of the festivities. On hand to make the presentations were last year’s royalty, Queen Sam Behncke and King Shane Rieck. The senior attendants are John Long and Bree Nerison.

The senior class edged out the junior class for first place in the homecoming float contest.

The pep rally featured a dance number by the cheerleaders, the traditional appearance by several freshman football players who dressed up as cheerleaders for the night and a skit produced by parents of the senior players entitled, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth or Sixth Grade Football Player?” The skit quizzed senior members of the team with questions regarding their memories of experiences during their football careers.

The softball team and the cheerleaders also presented checks to Josh, Jessica and Addison Stamp for Addison’s medical expense fund. This was the second check from the softball team and the cheerleaders presented proceeds from their camp. The two donations totaled more than $1,800.

Today (Friday) festivities continue with a student “Shin-Dig” during the afternoon featuring various activities. The game against Wapello is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the dance will follow.

This year’s Belle Plaine Homecoming royalty includes, front row, from left: senior attendants John

Long and Bree Nerison, King Brian Crow and Queen Taylor Schafbuch and 2008 royalty, King Shane

Rieck and Queen Sam Behncke. Back row, from left: junior attendants Zach Snyder and Kelli

Freeman, sophomore attendants Cody Chekal and Macy DeMeulenaere and freshman attendants

Lance Hinschberger and Sterling Formanek.