Italy’s Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally kickoff Friday’s events

Image: Italy Police Chief Diron Hill leads the 2012 Italy High School Homecoming Parade thru downtown Italy.

Italy Police Chief Diron Hill leads the 2012 Italy High School Homecoming Parade thru downtown Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: The IHS cheerleaders and mascot Reagan Adams fill the streets with spirit!

The IHS cheerleaders and mascot Reagan Adams fill the streets with spirit! (Barry Byers)

Image: The award-winning Gladiator Regiment Marching Band blares the “Beat of Champions” down main street, between the buildings and into the surrounding neighborhoods.

The award-winning Gladiator Regiment Marching Band blares the “Beat of Champions” down main street, between the buildings and into the surrounding neighborhoods. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy Gladiators get a lead block from Helms Garage of Italy as they move past city hall and then touch down for the pep rally.

The Italy Gladiators get a lead block from Helms Garage of Italy as they move past city hall and then touch down for the pep rally. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy Junior High Football teams makes their way down main street.

The Italy Junior High Football teams makes their way down main street. (Barry Byers)

Image: The IYAA football teams toss candy to the crowd on Friday during the parade and then win all three of their homecoming games on Saturday against Hubbard.

The IYAA football teams toss candy to the crowd on Friday during the parade and then win all three of their homecoming games on Saturday against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Eubank and Jozie Perkins help Italy cruise to a homecoming win during the parade.

Bailey Eubank and Jozie Perkins help Italy cruise to a homecoming win during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: The 2012 IHS Homecoming Princesses, Kendra Copeland, Julissa Hernandez and Madison Washington are escorted in style by Ann Hyles.

The 2012 IHS Homecoming Princesses, Kendra Copeland, Julissa Hernandez and Madison Washington are escorted in style by Ann Hyles. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2012 Homecoming King nominee Zackery Boykin(55) and Homecoming Queen nominee Katie Byers enjoy being royalty for a day.

2012 Homecoming King nominee Zackery Boykin(55) and Homecoming Queen nominee Katie Byers enjoy being royalty for a day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ronnie Hyles zooms 2012 Homecoming King nominee Cole Hopkins and Homecoming Queen nominee Paola Mata down main street during the parade.

Ronnie Hyles zooms 2012 Homecoming King nominee Cole Hopkins and Homecoming Queen nominee Paola Mata down main street during the parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2012 Homecoming Queen nominee Morgan Cockerham and Homecoming King nominee Blake Vega offer candy to their fans.

2012 Homecoming Queen nominee Morgan Cockerham and Homecoming King nominee Blake Vega offer candy to their fans. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2012 Homecoming Queen nominee Felicia Little and Homecoming King nominee Chase Hamilton(2) are proud to represent Italy High School.

2012 Homecoming Queen nominee Felicia Little and Homecoming King nominee Chase Hamilton(2) are proud to represent Italy High School. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2012 Homecoming Queen nominee Alyssa Richards and Homecoming King nominee Caden Jacinto(6) are escorted down the parade path by Tina Richards (mom) and Larry Mayberry, Sr.

2012 Homecoming Queen nominee Alyssa Richards and Homecoming King nominee Caden Jacinto(6) are escorted down the parade path by Tina Richards (mom) and Larry Mayberry, Sr. (Barry Byers)

Image: School spirit, demonstrated here by the IHS Art Club, floats by Italy City Hall during the 2012 Homecoming Parade.

School spirit, demonstrated here by the IHS Art Club, floats by Italy City Hall during the 2012 Homecoming Parade. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton, Jesica Wilkins and Monserrat Figueroa are enjoying riding in the parade on the junior class float.

Bailey Walton, Jesica Wilkins and Monserrat Figueroa are enjoying riding in the parade on the junior class float. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Cheerleader Meagan Hooker and her cheer mates perform for fans during the pep rally held downtown on the library parking lot.

Gladiator Cheerleader Meagan Hooker and her cheer mates perform for fans during the pep rally held downtown on the library parking lot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator cheerleader Morgan Cockerham has that school spirit glow as she fires up Italy’s fans!

Gladiator cheerleader Morgan Cockerham has that school spirit glow as she fires up Italy’s fans! (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Regiment Band drummer, Brett Kirton leads the beat during the pep rally.

Gladiator Regiment Band drummer, Brett Kirton leads the beat during the pep rally. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators huddle and and get krunk!!

The Gladiators huddle and and get krunk!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Gus Allen and the greatest band in all the land.

Gus Allen and the greatest band in all the land. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Regiment Band Members are Tara Wallis, Kortnei Johnson and Alexis Sampley play loud and proud during the pep rally.

Gladiator Regiment Band Members are Tara Wallis, Kortnei Johnson and Alexis Sampley play loud and proud during the pep rally. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards is excited to learn who the 2012 Homecoming King will be.

Alyssa Richards is excited to learn who the 2012 Homecoming King will be. (Barry Byers)

Image: The 2012 Homecoming King nominees were Cole Hopkins, Zackery Boykin, Blake Vega, Chase Hamilton and Caden Jacinto with Vega being crowned the king.

The 2012 Homecoming King nominees were Cole Hopkins, Zackery Boykin, Blake Vega, Chase Hamilton and Caden Jacinto with Vega being crowned the king. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2012 Homecoming King nominee Cole Hopkins(9) and his proud mom, Cassandra Hopkins.

2012 Homecoming King nominee Cole Hopkins(9) and his proud mom, Cassandra Hopkins. (Barry Byers)

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