Windermere Wolverines to parade through Summerport

Get your navy-and-lime outfits ready: The Windermere Wolverines are set to parade through Summerport Village to ring in fall.

The second annual Windermere High fall parade and food-truck night starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13. The route begins at Keene’s Crossing Elementary and winds through Summerport Village. Students will march down Bridgewater Crossings Boulevard to the end celebration point on the lakefront near 33&Melt.

Parking will be available behind the Lakefront Shoppes buildings and all along Bridgewater Crossings Boulevard, toward Lake Smith Circle and the Publix shopping center. Parade-goers will have prime viewing along Bridgewater Crossings Boulevard at The Village Green and toward Keene’s Crossing Elementary.

Last year, the school received positive feedback and residents enjoyed being able to walk outside and watch the parade, said parent Emily Huehne.

“A lot of residents came out and we had some really good feedback,” she said. “I had the head of the neighborhood association over there call me, and he was really happy with it and asking if we could do it again, so it was a really good experience.”

This year, the Student Government Association has invited all the clubs to create floats and march in the parade. The WHS Wolverine Legacy Fund will award $300 as a prize for the best float.

“This is the second year, so every year, we’re trying to get a little bigger and better,” she said. “I know the cheerleaders will be there, the band will be there, and a lot of the clubs will be there. I heard the skateboarding club is going to ride their skateboards, and Best Buddies is usually there. ... Last year, we didn’t have any floats, because it was kind of last minute. A lot of people came from West Orange, and they always had a parade, so we were like, ‘Let’s see what we can do.’ The Summerport neighborhood was nice enough to host us. We’re hoping for some floats this year, more next year, and maybe in 20 years, it’ll be a (bigger) thing.”

Parents, students, Principal Doug Guthrie and SGA sponsor Ashley Hoffman all have been instrumental in helping start what Huehne hopes becomes a tradition for years to come. She added that children in the Summerport community last year came outside and lined the sidewalk to watch the parade as students tossed candy.

As with any new event, it takes some time to grow, Huehne said. However, she hopes participation in the parade grows each year and provides something to bring the school and the community together.

“The sooner you can start some new traditions, the more fun it’ll be for the classes that come in the future,” she said. “Especially for the seniors this year; if they come back in five years, it’d be nice if the parade is there, too.”