Buford loves its traditions and perhaps the biggest and best tradition is that of its Homecoming. This year’s Homecoming is today, Friday, September 15, 2023.
The day’s festivities mean an early release day for Buford City Schools. This gives all students, teachers and staff a chance to be a part of the celebrations.
The annual Homecoming parade starts at 3 p.m. and will feature 88 cars/floats that will be decorated in Kelly green and gold. The parade route begins at the Buford Arena on Sawnee Avenue and travels up Sawnee to East Main Street. The parade turns left onto East Main Street and continues along Main Street before ending at South Lee Street.
Motorists should be advised that Sawnee and Main Streets will be closed down at 2:50 p.m. This means that absolutely no one will be allowed on Sawnee or Main Street after this time. This includes anyone who is supposed to be on a float. The city will not allow anyone to be on the parade route after this time so plan ahead and make sure you are where you need to be prior to this cutoff time.
City workers will have every intersection blocked off along the parade route. This includes intersections with Sagefield Way, South Waterworks Road, Roberts Street, Shadburn Street, Bona Road, Shadburn Ferry Road, Greenard Watson Way, Wilson Street, South Hill Street, South Harris Street, Garnett Street, Scott Street, South Alexander Street, Silas King Street, Little Mill Road, Church Street and South Lee Street. These streets will gradually reopen as the parade and clean up crew passes each intersection.
The parade draws in a large crowd every year and there will be people everywhere along the route. Be extra cautious if you must be driving in the vicinity of the parade between 2:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Once the parade ends at South Lee Street, the parade participants are to find the best way back to their starting point at the schools. The band will be loading onto buses stationed at Buford Church of God to be transported back to the high school.
Even though the parade route will be cleaned immediately after the parade ends by city workers, spectators should be conscientious and take their trash to deposit in trash cans either along the parade route or at home. Everyone is asked to be patient and do not attempt to pass the city workers. They will be protected by two Department of Public Safety employees.
Immediately following the parade from 4 to 6 p.m., Buford Elementary School is hosting Buford Tailgate. The event will feature a DJ, face painting, balloon artists, bubble art, games, activities and more. They will have food trucks available from Branch House Tavern; King of Pops; Los Panchos; Rachetti’s Cafe, Pizzeria & Pub and Southern Local Nuts. Parents must accompany kids to the tailgate. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on.
The Buford varsity football team will take on Carver Atlanta at Tom Riden Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Homecoming court festivities will take place at halftime and the Band of Wolves will perform immediately after the end of the game. Tickets for the game must be purchased at gofan.co. Student tickets can be purchased by clicking here. You must enter a valid student ID number to purchase student tickets. All other tickets can be purchased through this link here. Buford City Schools has a clear bag policy for all sporting events. Only clear bags will be allowed through the gates.
Have a Happy and Safe Homecoming Day! Go Wolves!
