West Aurora High School Will Host Homecoming Parade
The annual parade on September 24 will feature long-time lunchroom supervisor Rich Clausel as the grand marshal.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Civic
West Aurora High School has selected Rich Clausel, a lunchroom supervisor who has worked at the school for 40 years, to lead its Homecoming Parade on September 24. The event marks the beginning of the school's homecoming celebrations in Aurora.
Why it matters
The choice of a long-term staff member as grand marshal highlights the school's commitment to honoring its institutional history. This tradition serves to unite students, alumni, and local residents during the annual homecoming week.
Rich Clausel has served the school for 40 years. The parade begins at 3 p.m. on September 24, with the sophomore and varsity football games scheduled for the following day.
The players
Rich Clausel
Rich Clausel is a veteran lunchroom supervisor at West Aurora High School who has contributed 40 years of service to the institution.
West Aurora High School
West Aurora High School is an educational institution in Aurora that serves as the central hub for local student athletics and community homecoming events.
The details
The parade route begins at Calumet and Garfield avenues, moves east on Garfield, south on Fordham Avenue, west on Kensington Place, and ends by traveling north on Calumet. Attendees can watch the procession ahead of the football games at Ormond Stadium, which require tickets purchased online via GoFan before 7 p.m. on game day.
Timeline
The Homecoming Parade begins at 3 p.m. on September 24, 2026.
Homecoming football games occur on September 25, 2026, at Ormond Stadium.
Industry Dynamics
The selection of staff members as grand marshals follows the traditional homecoming grand marshal recognition ceremony pattern. This event continues the long-standing practice of honoring dedicated school employees to foster community cohesion during major district events.
Residents planning to attend the football games must purchase tickets online through GoFan by 7 p.m. on game day, as no tickets are sold at the gate. Note that spectators will not be admitted to Ormond Stadium after halftime.
The takeaway
Honoring long-time employees provides a meaningful sense of continuity for students and families within the school district. Local attendees should ensure they secure digital tickets early to avoid being turned away from the stadium.
What happens next
The Homecoming Parade is scheduled for September 24 at 3 p.m., followed by the sophomore and varsity football games at Ormond Stadium on September 25.
Further reading
Find more local updates on the Civic section of our website.
More information
View the complete schedule and ticket information on the West Aurora School District website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
