Parts of downtown Jackson closed to traffic Saturday, Oct. 31, as residents gathered for Lane College's annual Homecoming parade, a day WBBJ-TV described as one of local support and recognition.
The parade
Several streets were closed for the event. The route took the parade through parts of downtown, with marching bands, dance teams and cheer teams performing along the way. Local organizations also took part, along with Little Miss Juneteenth and Miss Tennessee Volunteer.
A retiring lawmaker as grand marshal
This year's grand marshal was Tennessee State Rep. Johnny Shaw, who represents District 80. According to WBBJ, Shaw spent many years supporting the college and attending its Homecoming festivities. He is retiring from the Tennessee General Assembly after several years of working to make significant changes for Tennesseans, which is why Lane College chose him for the role.
Shaw told the station he was excited to serve as grand marshal and hoped to "leave this memory" that "some other student will pick up and remember."
The rest of the day
Homecoming continued after the parade. Lane College was scheduled to face Tuskegee University in the Homecoming football game at 2 p.m. at Lane Field. The Dragons lost that game, which the site covers in a separate story. That evening, a Halloween edition of the All Black Affair Soiree was set to begin at 9 p.m. at the Kirkendoll Center.
Lane College is a historically Black college in Jackson. Its Homecoming parade is a community event as much as a campus one, and it regularly means street closures for part of the morning in downtown Jackson.
Sources: WBBJ-TV