EASTON, Pa. — While Eastonians won’t be getting a bonfire next week, students and administrators are introducing what could become a new tradition: themed floats for the parade.
Easton High School Principal Kyle Geiger confirmed that students had expressed a desire to collaborate on a project prior to the big game, similar to how they would work together to build up the stacks of pallets for the fire.
Ultimately, they landed on the idea to create five parade floats made from trailers donated by local businesses and individuals in the area.
“And they're going to have an internal competition, I guess you could say, on some theme for the floats that they're going to build that will then become part of our parade on Wednesday night,” Geiger said.
One of those who donated a trailer was Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone, an EASD graduate and former school board president who said his fellow Eastonians always manage to figure out a solution to a problem.
Pintabone said EASD Superintendent Tracy Piazza knew he had a trailer available, and reached out to ask if he could help.
“I said, absolutely, like, that's a no brainer,” Pintabone said.
“So I'm going to drop my trailer off week, the kids will decorate it, turn into a float, and then Wednesday, I'll come hook it up, and we'll be in the procession.”
With the foundations for the floats in place, students are looking for supplies to make their displays shine.
Geiger said some students have been reaching out via social media to procure donations for artistic supplies “like poster boards and paints and things of that nature.
“The band will play, the cheerleaders will be there, any public that wants to come can come."Kyle Geiger
“If people want to donate the materials, the resources, we would accept those here at the high school, like poster board, markers, paint, tape, that kind of stuff,” Geiger said.
“Cash donations, we would ask that they are delivered to the to the administration building [at 1801 Bushkill Dr.], so that they could be properly handled.”
Those interested in pitching in can also bring plywood or two-by-fours to help with the floats, but Geiger said any contribution to the students is welcome.
It’s a new and novel attempt to make a memorable experience for Easton High School students –especially seniors — after the cancellation of one the district’s most notable traditions.
Geiger added the school will also host a pep rally at Cottingham Stadium following the parade.
“So this year, what we're doing is we're reversing that parade, and we're going to take it from Easton High School and we're going to parade to Cottingham Stadium, and then we're going to have a small community pep rally,” Geiger said.
“The band will play, the cheerleaders will be there, any public that wants to come can come. And we will have about a half hour ceremony followed by a laser light show that will be for the community as well.”
“If you’re a Rover, you’re a Rover ‘til it’s over.”Frank Pintabone
The doors at Cottingham will open at 5 p.m. with a parade kickoff scheduled for 5:15 p.m., Geiger said, with the parade arriving at the stadium around 6 p.m.
EASD students current and past were upset to find the classic pre-Thanksgiving game bonfire had been officially canceled earlier this week due to safety concerns for people and property, especially in light of the recent drought and the potential danger of embers spreading in the wind.
But even if they don’t get their bonfire, perhaps the Rovers will launch a new tradition this year with their themed floats.
As Pintabone put it, “If you’re a Rover, you’re a Rover ‘til it’s over.”
