News Photo by Julie Goldberg The countdown to Alpena High School’s homecoming dance on Oct. 12 is seen here Monday in the school’s main entrance.

ALPENA — Next week will be a busy one at Alpena High School, because it’s homecoming week.

The week is celebrated with spirit days the school’s leadership class selected: Monday is Hawaii Day, Tuesday is Pure Michigan Day and Wednesday is Pink Day for Breast Cancer Awareness. On Thursday, students can wear baggy T-shirts over shorts and the shirt can be longer than the shorts.

“The kids voted for it, it was the one kind of unique that we went with, the other stuff is pretty simple,” Principal Tom Berriman said.

Friday is Class Color Day, and Oct. 14 is Comfy Day.

Berriman said district administrators have been talking about making some of the spirit days districtwide, and not just an Alpena High thing.

Students from each grade will compete with each other for the best hallway decorations, which will be put up after school on Oct. 10. Jeffrey Mindock, producing artistic director at Thunder Bay Theatre, and Allison Jakubcin, with Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, will be the guest judges.

The points from that will be included into a spirit jug competition, and whichever grade has the most points at the end of the homecoming assembly on Oct. 11 wins the spirit jug.

Food and decorations were donated by the school’s Class of 1990, Berriman said.

The school will honor two new members of its Hall of Fame alumni on Oct. 11 with a luncheon. The two new members will be announced later this week by the school.

The parade happens at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and travels from Ella White Elementary School to Wildcat Stadium on 3rd Avenue. The Neiman’s Family Market Tailgate Party follows the parade until the football game at 7 p.m.

The king and queen representatives will be announced at halftime.

The homecoming dance happens from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the high school gym.

“Everything is pretty much the same,” Berriman said. “The kids get into homecoming, it’s that traditional time, and kids have fun with it. It’s always a fun time.”

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.