2025 CHS Homecoming Parade is one of the best!

Features more than 30 units including two bands, 10 class reunions, four class floats, homecoming candidates, color guard, police, and fire vehicles

By Jim Beers

CHESTER – The 2025 Chester High School Homecoming Parade was one of the best in years. Many factors contributed to the success of the event including great organization and management, wonderful weather, numerous class reunions, excited student organizations, and support from community groups.

The weather cooperated wonderfully with dry conditions, moderate temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70’s, a slight breeze and sunny skies.

Organizers and managers of the parade were Student Council Sponsors, Erin Conley and Amy Miller. They had a lot of assistance from student council members.

This year there were numerous class reunions and most participated in the parade, including the classes of 1964, 1965, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2005, 2015, and 2020.

The VFW Color Guard led the parade with flags and rifle and the Chester Fire Department and Police Department maintained the safety of both parade participants and spectators. The police and fire units were especially enjoyed by the younger parade watchers.

Candy was plentiful as most parade units gently tossed tasty treats to spectators throughout the parade.

CHS Band Director, Steve Colonel, marched his last CHS Homecoming Parade with the Chester High School Band as he will be retiring at the end of this school year. The Marching YellowJackets sounded good and entertained throughout the 1.5-mile event. Adrianne Kern had the CHS Dance Team looking good too, as they performed along the parade route in front of the band.

Sue Colonel, Chester Grade School Band Director, also marched her final CHS Homecoming Parade as she is likewise retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The grade school band sounded good and did a great job of entertaining throughout the long parade route. The CGS Cheerleaders led the band and looked sharp as they did routines to the music.

Retiring Homecoming Queen Elaina Lutman graced the crowd in the parade. Her retiring King, Kolton Jany, was unable to appear due to the fact that he plays college football at Illinois College, and he had to compete last weekend. 2024 Homecoming King Runner-Up, Max Blechle, stepped-in and covered for Jany during the Homecoming festivities.

All five of the King and Queen Candidates were also in the parade including junior Candidates Aubrey Colvis and Zane Eggemeyer and Aleah Eggemeyer and Karim Landeros, and senior Candidates Maggie Caby and Ethan Colvis, Callie Davis and Brayden Juenger, and Camryn Wolff and Tray Peters.

Student organizations represented in the parade included CHS Cheerleaders, CHS Dance Team, Varsity Football, JV Football, Freshman Football, CHS Golf, and CHS Volleyball Team. Finally, all four classes entered class floats into the parade including the CHS Freshman Class of 2029, the Sophomore Class of 2028, the Junior Class of 2027, and the Senior Class of 2026.

Bringing up the end of the parade each year are the Little Stinger Cheerleaders and the Little Stingers Football players. Chester Police cars followed the parade to ensure that all went well to close the parade.

Hats off to CHS for one of the best Homecoming Parades in recent years and to everyone who helped make it such a huge success!

Chester VFW Color Guard

Chester Fire Department

Chester High School Band

Chester High School Dance Team

CHS Marching Yellowjackets Band Director, Steve Colonel, in his final CHS Homecoming Parade as he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year! Jim Beers Photo

Chester Grade School Marching Jr. Jackets Band Jim Beers Photo

Sue Colonel, Chester Grade School Marching Jr. Jackets Band Director, in her final CHS Homecoming Parade as she will retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year! Jim Beers Photo

Chester Grade School Cheerleaders Jim Beers Photo

Chester High School Cheerleaders Jim Beers Photo

Chester High School Varsity Football Team Jim Beers Photo

Chester High School Freshman Football Players Jim Beers Photo

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CHS Senior Class of 2026 Float Jim Beers Photo

CHS Junior Class of 2027 Float Jim Beers Photo

CHS Sophomore Class of 2028 Float Jim Beers Photo

CHS Freshman Class of 2029 Float Jim Beers Photo

2025 Senior Homecoming King and Queen Candidates Ethan Colvis and Maggie Caby Jim Beers Photo

2025 Senior Homecoming King and Queen Candidates Brayden Juenger and Callie Davis Jim Beers Photo

2025 Senior Homecoming King and Queen Candidates Tray Peters and Camryn Wolff Jim Beers Photo

2025 Junior King and Queen Candidates Zane Eggemeyer and Aubrey Colvis Jim Beers Photo

2025 Junior King and Queen Candidates Karim Landeros and Aleah Eggemeyer Jim Beers Photo

Retiring 2024 Homecoming Queen Elaina Lutman. Retiring King, Kolton Jany, was unable to attend CHS Homecoming 2025 due to the fact that he plays collegiate football at Illinois College and he has a game over the weekend. Substituting for Jany is 2024 King Runner-Up Max Blechle. Jim Beers Photo

Chester High School Lady Jacket Volleyball Team Jim Beers Photo

Chester High School Golf Teams Jim Beers Photo

CHS Student Council Co-Sponsor Erin Conley was Co-Coordinator of the 2025 Homecoming Parade with fellow Co-Student Council Sponsor Amy Miller. Shown here Conley is checking out the flow of the parade on the CHS Golf Cart. Jim Beers Photo