Wolverine pride parades through Wadena

While the forecast called for gray skies, the streets of downtown Wadena shone with blue and yellow in celebration of homecoming week.

Students, staff, community members and businesses came out in strong support of the Wolverines. Those in the younger crowd mostly cheered for candy but loved the fun week of activities and sharing their Wolverine pride.

The wild excitement wrapped through downtown as the Wadena Fire Department, Wadena State Bank, Lunde Auto Sales, Bluffton Fire Department and Tri-County Health Care helped cheer on the football team.

The team is playing the Lake Park-Audubon Raiders at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 with the Wadena Lions hosting a tailgate party starting at 5:30 p.m. at the football field. You might even be lucky enough to get some free Canoe Paddle Kettle Corn's Wolverine Mix from Central Minnesota Credit Union at the game.

1/6: Wadena-Deer Creek football players check to see if their candy throw has been received by elementary students during the homecoming parade on Oct. 1, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal

2/6: Amongst a sea of their classmates, the safety patrol kicks off the Wadena-Deer Creek homecoming parade on Oct. 1, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal

3/6: The pep band spread their Wolverine cheer with fun outfits and music during the homecoming parade on Oct. 1, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal

4/6: In a row of golf carts, homecoming king and queen candidates Lauren Gravelle, Madison Packer, Jamie Barthel, Carson Kern, Isaac Christianson and Payton Rondestvedt ride down Aldrich Avenue in the homecoming parade on Oct. 1, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal

5/6: The Wadena-Deer Creek cross country team waves to elementary students from atop a Wadena fire department truck on Oct. 1, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal

6/6: Students from the Wadena-Deer Creek REACH class wave encouragement amongst their Wolverine cheer on Oct. 1, 2021. Rebecca Mitchell / Pioneer Journal