When members of McIntosh High School’s homecoming court hop into their convertibles Wednesday, Oct. 5, the award-winning Spirit of McIntosh Marching Band will lead them down a new parade route to an awaiting pep rally at the Flat Creek Country Club.
School officials received an offer last month from the club to host and pay for the pep rally, which is expected to include a DJ, performances by the cheerleaders, Chiefettes, and marching band, as well as games, contests, complimentary snacks and drinks, and other fun events.
There will also be space for school clubs and groups to sell merchandise and fundraise for their nonprofits.
“We are excited to be the ending site for the McIntosh Chiefs’ homecoming parade,” said Steve Soriano, general manager of the Clubs of Peachtree City. “Flat Creek is perfect for an end of Parade Pep Rally where parade participants, students, and guests are all welcome.”
For their homecoming game, the Chiefs will go head-to-head with the Fayette County Tigers. Sophomores planning the homecoming dance selected Mardi Gras as their theme. With that in mind, parade organizers combined the two to develop their colorful vision: “Unmask Your Spirit and Tame the Tigers.”
This year, MHS Band Director Barbara Baker will divide her musicians into two groups. One will lead the parade and the other will bring up the rear encouraging those lining the parade route to join in and follow them New Orleans style. Also new, the Chiefs’ mascot will chase a tiger throughout the parade, eventually taming and then ceremoniously caging it at the pep rally.
The new 1.2-mile parade route approved by the city will take the dozens of floats, decorated golf carts, trucks, and marchers from the school’s entrance, right onto Walt Banks Road and then right again into the Holy Trinity parking lot through Coldwell Banker’s lot, right onto Prime Point, right onto Stevens Entry, left onto Peachtree Parkway, right onto Flat Creek Road and finally left into the Flat Creek Country Club parking lot. Parade participants and floats unable to remain for the pep rally will loop through the parking lot and back onto Flat Creek Road.
Parade organizers plan to distribute new route flyers to the community surrounding McIntosh. The changes will primarily affect those who traditionally gather at the intersection of Walt Banks and Peachtree Parkway to cheer on the parade. Instead, organizers suggest they gather along the beginning of the new route and then march with them to the Flat Creek pep rally. It will make the after-party even more exciting and they might win some special prizes courtesy of the pep rally sponsor.
“The Clubs of Peachtree City (Flat Creek) is an integral part of the community and we want to build relationships and enrich the lives of those who live in it,” said Soriano.
McIntosh’s Homecoming Parade departs the school at 4:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 5. The registration deadline for businesses and community groups to enter the parade is Sept. 30. To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoS_X8uBbtTt2gE6Uh8yzSp8ECP4Ih_mReOWqUSUCtTqDEQw/viewform.
