Roller skaters, prize fighters, an abominable snowman, and root-beer floats served up on a ’50s-style diner rolled down the streets of downtown Friday Harbor in the annual Homecoming parade Friday.

Enthusiasm rang high among the crowds of students on a rainy afternoon as they proudly displayed their eagerness to dominate the Nooksack Valley Pioneers, the opposing team in the Homecoming football game.

In the spirit of environmental awareness, the Senior Class pushed their float, rather than tow it by motor vehicle. “Trash the Pioneers, recycle the remains,” was the logo on the float, decorated with cardboard boxes, milk cartons and plastic bottles.

Seniors wore shirts with recycled logos.

Music filled the streets with sounds of drumming, pot and pan style, and shakers made from plastic bottles filled with rocks.

On the Junior Class float, which resembled a ’50s-style diner, “cool cats” sipped root beer floats as gals twirled in their poodle skirts and roller skaters cruised the street.

“Ice the Pioneers” was the theme for the Sophomore Class float. Dozens of icicles and snowflakes covered the float, complete with a snowman skipping alongside the crowd.

The Freshman Class float was a boxing ring designed to “knock out the Pioneers” in time for the Homecoming game Saturday.

The Junior Class won the overall float competition based on creativity, originality, use of school colors — purple and gold — and level of enthusiasm. The Senior Class won the Ecological Float Award.

The annual Homecoming parade and pep rally are student driven. The level of student participation from the Senior Class was higher than years past, according to high school counselor Gordy Waite.

Eddie Nash and Kelsie Carlton were chosen Homecoming king and queen.

Following the pep rally, teens were invited to enjoy an evening filled with ping-pong, video games and snacks at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. The event was well attended.

At Saturday’s Homecoming game, Shannon Evans’ second-grade class sang the national anthem. Evans’ students have studied the history of the national anthem each day after stating the Pledge of Allegiance.

“One of my students took the song by heart,” Evans said.

That student was second-grader Vida Wight. She sang the anthem at home, which inspired her mother, Cere Demuth, to pursue the singing at a sports event.

“I am very proud of the kids and they worked very hard on the song,” Evans said.

Evans appreciates the efforts by Athletic Director Rod Turnbull and Cere Demuth to have the students sing at the game.

“I’m sure they will remember this experience for a long time,” she said.