Lane college celebrates annual homecoming with Saturday parade and game

JACKSON, Tenn — Although Saturday was the last day of Lane college’s homecoming week students, alumni, and community members made sure they went out with a bang. The annual homecoming parade started on Lane’s campus. Alumni and residents from the community lined the streets to witness it all. Marching bands started things off the with their performances. Local fraternities and sororities filled campus sidewalks with loud cheers and the school’s mascot was displayed with this year’s theme, “The Greatest Since 1882.”

Homecoming King, Lee Christian Wilkins said “Lane college is a historic university so as far as that a lot of people come back and they enjoy the school that it is becoming.”

Organizers said the planning for homecoming takes months.

“Each homecoming we begin on the next homecoming and so we have persons on the committee who are members of the community and they have been planning for this celebration for some time now.” Service Chief of Staff, Darlette Carver Samuels said.

The chilly start to the morning didn’t stop local dance groups from showing off their cool moves. The 2016 homecoming court was announced at the beginning of the week and the new crowned king said he’s enjoying his reign.

“It feels great to be homecoming king! Everything is going well I’m enjoying my undergrad year and I’m looking forward. Go Lane college!” Wilkins said.

Samuels said the folks in town this weekend had a major impact on the city of Jackson. “All of the hotels are filled the restaurants are steady busy during this weekend and economically it benefits the city greatly.”

Organizers said their proud of the turnout and can’t wait to start planning for next year.

The Lane Dragons took home a 19-18 victory against the Benedict College Tigers.