Homecoming Parade Revived in Sparta

DDA — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:06:15 +0000

“See you on the curb” is the motto for the revived Sparta Homecoming Parade. After several years on hiatus, the Homecoming Parade, which has been a traditional part of the week long festivities at Sparta Area Schools is scheduled for Friday, October 14, 2011.

The volunteer organizers Christine McKinley and Kim VanDusen are working hard to bring back a long standing spirited tradition for Sparta. “We are so excited!”, VanDusen exclaimed. The parade is tentatively scheduled for 4:30 pm and will begin on Elm St., march through downtown, and end up by the Football field on South Union. The parade organizers are asking all Sparta bands, sports teams, clubs, organizations, and interested groups that would like to line up in the parade to consider joining. Downtown businesses that would like to have their windows painted or decorated by the Sparta students are invited to get involved, too. As for now, the organizers are telling people to ‘save the date’ as the long tradition of waving at the High School Homecoming Court, watching the Sparta Bands marching, or cheering for the passing football players gearing up for the game will be a Homecoming for the record books because simply put, “It’s Back!”

Interested to Get into the Spartan Spirit? Check out the opportunities offered by the Sparta Chamber of Commerce!

The Loss of an Icon

DDA — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:43:09 +0000

Over 3,000 Sparta students, parents, chaperones, and teachers who ever went on Mr. Larry Carter’s 5^th grade Sparta Historical Tour can mourn together for the loss of a Sparta icon. The “Catalpa Tree”, known to many Sparta residents and students, sat in the back yard of a home on West Division until late Sunday evening August 9^th, 2009, when major wind gusts finally brought the old tree down. The Catalpa Tree was nationally recognized as the largest Catalpa tree in the United States. The plaque, which was salvaged off the tree after the storm, stated: “This Tree is A Champ! It has won the distinction of being accepted as a national champion, which means it is the largest Catalpa Tree known in the United States” according to the Michigan Botanical Club and the American Forestry Association from Washington D.C. The plaque was dedicated on April 13, 1960 and sat affixed to the tree for the past 49 years. Sadly, the Fifth Grade Sparta Historical Tour, which students participate in each spring, will no longer be stopping at the Catalpa Tree. “We will miss the Catalpa Tree on the History Tour,” says Larry Carter, 5^th grade teacher at Sparta Middle School. Larry said that they knew it would be coming down eventually, due to age, but it was still a sad day in Sparta history to see an end to the historic icon. “I’ll miss showing it to them,” Larry reflects. “We don’t have many historic “national champs” in town, and it was a great part of the History Tour. ”

For more information about the Sparta Township Historic Commission, please contact them at (616) 887-8863 or by calling Chairperson Martin ‘Bud’ Pulsifer at (616) 887-1566.

Sparta Chamber of Commerce » Sparta Area Schools

Homecoming Parade Revived in Sparta

The Loss of an Icon