High schools of both communities are celebrating homecoming this week, with both crowning homecoming royalty during Friday’s respective football games.

Here’s a closer look at what’s being planned at both schools:

Tonganoxie

Tonganoxie High School kicked off festivities Monday with Messy Hair Day, the first themed day of the week.

Tuesday was Disney Day, while today is Wannabe Wednesday. Thursday is Throwback Thursday and Friday is Red/White Day.

The homecoming parade through downtown will start at 2 p.m. Friday. This year, the route will start at Main Street and go west on Fourth Street and then north on Church Street. Floats will then hit Third Street and then park along Delaware, Bury and Green streets.

A pep rally will then take place at Fourth and Bury streets in the traditional spot where the dance team and cheerleaders will perform. Representatives from THS fall sports and other activities also will speak.

This year’s Tonganoxie USD 464 Education Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized during a reception from 3-5 p.m. at the Myers Hotel, 220 S. Main St. A ceremony will start about 4 p.m. honoring the inductees, who again will be recognized at halftime of Friday’s football game.

Homecoming coronation will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Beatty Field.

Queen candidates are Haley Knipp, Kameron Robbins, Tressa Walker, Summer Cerny, Sarah Ahart, Jessica Minear, Sophia Breedlove and Saryn Hernandez. King candidates are Justin Patrick, Asher Huseman, Jared Sommers, Greg DeVeau, Carl Hecht, Ben Clark, Justyn Leslie and Quin Smith.

The THS football game against Bishop Ward will begin at 7 p.m.

Festivities will conclude with a homecoming dance from 8:30-11 p.m. Saturday at the Chieftain Room on the THS campus.

The theme is “Footloose.” Cost is $10 for singles and $15 for couples.

McLouth

McLouth kicked off its homecoming week with ‘Muhrica Day on Monday and Disney/Pixar Character Day on Tuesday. Today is Black Tie Affair Day and Thursday is Favorite Video Game Character Day. Friday has been designated as Splatter Day.

MHS has several other events planned for the rest of the week.

Buff ‘n Tuff Volleyball starts at 6 p.m. today, with Powderpuff Football set to start at 7 p.m. and a class scavenger hunt at 8 p.m.

A bonfire with s’mores and a rally led by cheerleaders and homecoming candidates will start at 7 p.m. Thursday.

On Friday, students will have a splattering at 2 p.m. and the parade down Union Street in downtown McLouth at 2:30 p.m.

Activities at Stan Braksick Sports Complex will start at 2:50 p.m. with a dance routine. Cheerleaders will perform at 3 p.m. Candidate competitions will get started at 3:10 p.m.

A cross country homecoming run will go from 5-6:30 p.m. The cross country team will be introduced and present the game ball at 6:45 p.m. at the football game.

The homecoming football game between McLouth and archrival Oskaloosa will start at 7 p.m. at Stan Braksick Sports Complex.

Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime of the football game. Candidates are Jordyn Johnston, Emily Hoffhines and Hannah DePriest, Jace Carlton, Jack Courtney and Nick Barber.

Festivities will conclude with a homecoming dance starting at 9:30 p.m. Friday and finishing at 12:30 a.m. Saturday.