By Sarah Kocher

1

The parade

The Homecoming parade starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday. The route begins at Albert Lea High School, following Hammer Road through the Hammer Stadium parking lot.

Spectators are asked to park in the stadium parking lot and to line Hammer Road or the stadium parking lot for the festivities.

2

Sporting events

Ninth grade, junior varsity and varsity teams have home soccer games and swim meets, which, between them, span four days this week. Highlights include the 6 p.m. Tuesday girls’ swim and dive meet against Tri-City United, the 7 p.m. boys’ varsity soccer game on Thursday against Austin and the 7 p.m. homecoming football game on Friday against Tri-City United.

3

A bonfire

After Thursday’s varsity boys’ soccer game finishes at Jim Gustafson field, eighth- through 12th-graders can take to the parking lot for a bonfire. Students can choose to purchase Bruno’s corn dogs and can also enjoy free hot chocolate.

4

Kings and queens

All week, Albert Lea High School will celebrate the royal court announced on Friday. The royalty will visit the Albert Lea elementary schools on Tuesday, and the king and queen will be announced on Friday morning.

5

Dress-up days

Each Albert Lea school is celebrating Homecoming Week with a dress-up theme for each day. Pajama day, mismatch day and twin day all will be featured in different schools on different days, but Friday is the same everywhere: Tiger spirit.