Tiger Nation Homecoming Parade and Weekend is September 12-13

Heights High's Homecoming Parade and weekend are sent to be a once-in-a-century experience!

Events kick off on the afternoon of Friday, September 12 with the Homecoming Parade marching down Lee Road from Fairfax Elementary School to Heights High. With every District school represented, plus individual sports teams, student groups, and clubs, the parade should have well over 1,000 participants.

For the first time ever, the 2025 parade has a theme: Marching Through the Decades, in anticipation of the high school's upcoming centennial. The Heights Schools Foundation is coordinating a year's worth of Heights100 events culminating in a three-day celebration in June 2026.

While the high school building at Cedar and Lee may seem old, this year's parade marshal is even older: Dr. Howard Tucker, born in 1922, graduated from Heights in 1940 and has gone on to become both a lawyer and neurologist who holds the world record for being the oldest practicing physician.

The 103-year-old will lead the parade from a convertible as it kicks off at 5:00 p.m. He will be followed by the marching band, cheerleaders, some elaborate floats from CH-UH's elementary schools, various groups of alumni commemorating their reunions, and even candidates for local office. The community is invited to line Lee Road all the way from Scarborough to Washington Boulevard to cheer on the Tigers, with an alumni watch party at The Wine Spot, and residents enjoying the DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) which runs from Dellwood to Cedar. Judges and performance space will be on Washington Boulevard near the end of the parade route.

The parade will end with a tailgate in the eastern parking lot (near the baseball and softball fields) at Heights High, prior to the 7:00 p.m. football game against Strongsville. The tailgate will feature several food trucks, a lot of school spirit, and the announcement of the Best in Parade winner. It is free to attend for anyone arriving on foot, such as those coming from the parade, but it costs $10 for anyone who wishes to reserve a parking spot for their car. The tailgate and parade are both organized by the Heights Athletic Boosters.

Tickets for the football game can be purchased at www.heightstigers.org the week of September 8.

Saturday, September 13 will include several reunion tours, the cross country team's sole home meet, the McDonough Invitational at Forest Hill Park, beginning at 9:00 a.m., and the "It's No Place Like Heights" Homecoming Dance in the evening at the high school.

All groups planning to march must register ahead of time. It is free for school PTAs, middle and high school sports teams, and student groups and clubs, but everyone else must pay a $25 fee, which benefits the District's student-athletes. All residents, marchers, and spectators should be cautious of street closures along the route and plan extra time to arrive at all of Friday's events.

Get ready for a century's worth of school spirit and Tiger pride as we come together to celebrate Heights Homecoming 2025!