NATCHEZ — When Natchez High student Courtney Sims cruises down Franklin Street on a float Friday, she can’t wait to see the spectators who stop to catch the parade.

“I want to see the look on peoples’ faces when they see us and think, ‘Oh look, Natchez High is having a homecoming parade!’,” Sims said.

The parade, which leaves from the bluff at 2:30 p.m. heads down Franklin Street before wrapping around to Main Street at Holder’s Drug Store, will be the Natchez-Adams School District’s first homecoming parade in years.

Sims has the privilege of riding in a float as a member of the National Honor Society and student council as the secretary of the junior class.

Although Natchez High was on fall break Wednesday, Sims showed up at school dressed down in jeans to put in some manual labor on the floats.

A group of five other students joined her for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. homecoming committee shift. Each one of the students working on the float Thursday was a member of the National Honor Society and student council.

Sims said she was glad to help prepare for the parade on her day off because she felt a responsibility to contribute to the effort.

Plus, she wanted to make sure her school looked good.

“It’s my school, it reflects on me. I want people to say Natchez High did a good job,” Sims said.

All of the students who measured and rolled out material, painted the trellis for the queens float and stapled plastic siding to the float Thursday were happy to be a part of the parade.

“It’s a wonderful experience and it feels good to be part of it,” junior Clarence Hayes said.

When another student teased Hayes that his comment was cliché, Hayes stuck to his words.

“I know, but I mean it!” Hayes said.

Hayes said he hopes to see a wide variety of people from the community at the parade. Sims agreed and said she would love to see students and parents from other schools on the route.

Natchez-Adams School Board member Benny Wright said the homecoming parade will provide an opportunity to bring some positive energy to the community and give the school district something about which to be proud.

“It will allow the young students have some fun, and hopefully the community will enjoy and support it and make it a tradition,” Wright said.

Natchez High Athletic Director Fred Butcher, who is one of the parade coordinators, said there will likely be approximately 10-12 floats rolling on Friday.

Each school in the district will also sponsor its own float.

Natchez High teacher and parade coordinator, Creseda Crawford, said the parade is a good way to demonstrate unity among the district.

The parade will line up at the bluff at 1:30 p.m.