Once a year, the vibrant energy of marching bands, classic cars, and cheering crowds fills Downtown Frisco for the Frisco Community Parade. Originating in the 1960s as the Frisco Homecoming Parade, back when Frisco High was the town's only high school, this long-standing tradition has grown alongside the city. Today, the parade proudly celebrates all 12 Frisco ISD high schools, local nonprofits, civic leaders, and community veterans.
Floats are designed and created by local companies, bands, sports teams, and various organizations that start working on them weeks in advance. “The great thing about the parade is it not only brought the community together but organizations as well,” former Mayor Mike Simpson said. The Frisco Community Parade is organized by a committee composed of City of Frisco departments, Frisco ISD staff, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Veterans Committee members, and community volunteers. “It's just a fun thing to do and a great way to be a part of the entire community. It's a great partnership between the school district and the city,” Simpson said.
The parade has brought friendly competition over the years. For weeks, organizations perfected their floats in order to secure one of the coveted trophies offered for Best Theme, the Superintendent’s Award, the Mayor’s Choice, and many more.
“Floats were handmade with tissue paper and some added flowers as well,” Simpson recalls. “The most memorable floats for me were the special military floats, and one year, The Heritage Center even dressed up with historical costumes and rocking chairs.” Special awards come with a scholarship donation made in the organization's name to the Frisco Education Foundation (FEF). “Entries that are recognized as the Superintendent’s Award, Mayor’s Award and Grand Marshal’s Award will receive the honor of having a Frisco Education Foundation Scholarship presented to an FISD student in their organization’s name,” says FEF Program Specialist Terri West. “Scholarship recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship and it will be presented at the Frisco Education Foundation Scholarship event to be held in the spring of 2027.”
“It really is such a great event,” former Community Parade organizer Buddy Minett recalls. Buddy and his wife, Joni Minett, have volunteered and organized the event for over 20 years. Joni is a second-generation Frisco High School graduate and helped her parents, Sonny and Joanne McSpedden, throughout her youth with parade floats for the annual parade. They have participated in the parade in various capacities for several decades. “I think it's an opportunity to celebrate the past as we move forward but to keep the small-town community feel. People really enjoy nostalgia, remembering the homecoming days with one high school and all the special memories. It is always nice to think about and honor where we've come from as a community,” Minett says.
The annual event celebrates and honors veterans, students, civic leaders, and volunteers. “We had many famous celebrities like Emmitt Smith, Drew Pearson and then city heroes like Mack Borchardt and Bob Warren over the years,” Minett says.
For the last two years, the Rail District Redevelopment project required the parade to move to alternative locations. With the project now complete, the event will officially return to Main Street this year. “In the past, people would be lined up and have breakfast at the local restaurants on their outdoor patios to watch and make a whole day of it, so we are excited for the return,” Simpson says. The parade will take place on November 14, featuring the theme “America 250” to celebrate our nation's monumental anniversary.
Visit FriscoParade.com for more event information.