All week, events are scheduled throughout campus to get students to be a part of Homecoming, and some neighboring schools are taking this time to participate too.

The Charleston High School band will march in this weekend’s Homecoming parade.

Laney Grimes, Charleston High School band director and Eastern alumnus, remembers marching in the parade herself when she attended high school in Charleston.

“The parade is a good community event to be a part of. It is important for the students to show the community what they are capable of doing,” said Grimes.

This is Grimes’ fourth year as the band director, and this weekend she will be leading 63 members through the parade, along with the school’s dance team, the Trojettes.

The Charleston High School hosts its own Homecoming week at the end of September similar to Eastern’s.

Carol Lawson, principal secretary of Charleston High School, said there are weeklong events including a variety show, powder puff game, and a parade.

Charleston Christian Academy is unable to participate because of their busy schedules, but hopes to participate in the future.

John Best, principal of Charleston High School, said most of their teachers are Eastern graduates and it would be good for the school to get involved, but because the beginning of the school year is busy, there is not enough time or energy for preparation.

Selmaville Elementary School’s 27 band members will travel the hour and 15 minutes from Salem, Ill. to be part of the parade.

Maegan Musgrave, the band director for Selmaville Elementary said this is a great way to broaden the horizons of her students by performing in an area that they are unfamiliar with.

“It is a really good learning experience, to get that knowledge and see what a more experience band has to offer is great for kids at such a young age is great,” said Musgrave.

Cumberland High School has an 18-person band that will be in attendance along with Charleston’s community Girl Scouts.

Allison Twaits can be reached at 581-7942 or altwaits@eiu.edu.