Last year’s Grand Marshal was LAHS Psychology teacher Lynn Ovaska. Photo Courtesy LAPS

Students show their class spirit during last year’s Homecoming parade. Photo Courtesy LAPS

LAPS NEWS RELEASE

Get ready for Homecoming 2026 in Los Alamos! Homecoming Week is September 14-19, 2026 and will feature a number of events and activities for students, staff and community
members.

The Homecoming Parade will be held on Friday, Sept. 18. This year’s Grand Marshall is Los Alamos High School Art Teacher Mary Grace. The theme for the parade is “Crush the Cougars”.

The parade route has been changed this year. The parade will start on Central at Ashley Pond Park, and proceed up Central to the Mari Mac parking lot. This ensures adequate shelter is available for all our participants should there be a thunderstorm before the event like last year, and the roundabout does not have to be closed at Central and 502. The parade will begin at 2:30 pm at Ashley Pond Park, and judges will be seated outside the post office.

Completed Homecoming Parade Application and payments are due to the Los Alamos High School Bookkeeper by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The fee for all float/vehicle entries is $30 and $20 for walkers only. Checks may be made payable to LAPS. Online payment is available through HomeTown Fan.

Float staging. Courtesy photo

Float staging begins at 1:30 pm at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Parking lot. Floats and vehicles may not be parked at the lot before this time. Enter through the east entrance via Canyon Road. Float riders can be dropped off in the far west parking lot behind the church.

Walker staging. Courtesy photo

Walker staging also begins at 1:30 pm at the Mesa Public Library west parking lot.

The Hilltoppers will host the Cibola High School Cougars in the Homecoming football game Friday night. Gates will open at 5 pm. Tickets and season passes can be purchased in advance either through the HomeTown Fan app or online through HomeTown Fan. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate with a credit card. Cash will not be accepted at the gate.

Concessions and Spirit Store will open at 5 pm. Cash, credit and debit cards are accepted. A minimum $5 purchase is required to use a card at the concessions stand.

Students and families can check their school sites for other fun activities, including spirit weekthemes, pep rallies and fun runs.

Go to www.laschools.net for more information about Homecoming 2026.

New Staging Locations

• Floats: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church parking lot
  o Enter lot on the east side after 1:30pm and check in at the canopy for your float
  number and staging directions
  
• Walkers & Bike Riders: Mesa Public Library west parking lot
  o Red circled parking spaces are designated for walkers to meet. Check in @ the
  canopy for your walker number and directions

Questions? Contact LAHSactivities@laschools.net

Have fun and thank you for your support