The GMG Class of 2031 marches with their handmade Homecoming banner, Friday, Oct. 16, in downtown Garwin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GARWIN – The GMG Community School District hosted a royally grand Homecoming Parade in downtown Garwin on Friday, Oct. 16, taking to the streets that afternoon with multiple creative floats ahead of the Wolverine football team’s downing later that evening of the Colo-NESCO Royals.

The parade – enjoyed by the entire district, including elementary students who arrived from Green Mountain by bus and watched from near the city park – kicked off from the secondary school just after 2 p.m. and headed south down Third Street. The air temperatures at that time hovered in the low-50s, but were buttressed by fierce northern winds that made it feel nearly 20 degrees cooler.

The Tama County Sheriff’s Office led the parade with a cruiser, followed close behind by Legionnaires from Garwin’s William Saunders American Legion Post 71 who presented the colors while seated in the back of a pickup truck.

Members of GMG Cheer rode atop a Garwin Fire Department truck – waving their pompoms to paradegoers. The pumper was among several vehicles from the community’s first responders featured in the parade.

An extremely cool vintage Ford pickup truck with wooden bed rails carried members of Cub Scout Pack 394.

The GMG Cheer team rides atop a Garwin Fire Department truck during the Friday, Oct. 16 Homecoming Parade in downtown Garwin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A variety of class floats from GMG Secondary School also made their way down Third Street, including the GMG Class of 2031, whose students walked in a group while displaying a fantastic handmade painted banner that proclaimed “Destroy Their Reign.” Also memorable, the Class of 2029 float which featured a pair of adorable pups fittingly named Duchess and Amira.

Members of the GMG football team – including youth football – either walked or rode atop flatbed trailers ahead of their evening clash with the Royals.

The parade’s grand marshal was Teri Beck, who rode in an open-top convertible. She was accompanied by the 2026 Homecoming youth attendants – Morgan Brown, Ivan Ouderkirk, Cade Prusha and Elliott Weuve.

The Homecoming Court and attendants pulled up the rear of the parade – all riding atop the back of open-air convertibles and braving the cool temperatures.

The final parade entry featured Homecoming Queen Violet Jackson and King Ethan Klemesrud, who also rode side by side atop a convertible. As in years past, the queen’s crown was a gift from Hellberg’s Jewelers of Marshalltown.

GMG's 2026 Homecoming Royalty: Queen Violet Jackson and King Ethan Klemesrud. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

After passing through downtown Garwin on Third Street, the parade looped around Garwin Park before turning onto Front Street and then ending along Main Street in front of the pavilion, where a pep rally took place.

The school district’s 2026 Spirit Trophy was announced during the pep rally, with the senior class (Class of 2027) winning this year’s honor. Their float was wildly popular with the judges and featured not only the Wolverine mascot (donned by Brayden Elbeach), but also a homemade wooden castle big enough for the mascot to ride atop and emblazoned with the words “Raid the Royals.”

During the football game that evening, King Klemesrud was announced as the winner of Mr. Football.

Wolverines wallop Royals, 58-20

The GMG football team not only celebrated Homecoming last Friday night, but the program also completed its first winning season since 2007 – finishing it off with a 58-20 victory over Colo-NESCO in an 8-Man District 6 showdown.

The GMG High School Class of 2028 float. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Wolverines (6-3, 3-3) wrapped up the program’s best season since 2005 (7-3) by bolting to a 46-20 halftime lead and shutting out the visiting Royals (5-4, 2-4) in the second half.

GMG quarterback Ethan Klemsrud had a game for the ages, rushing 28 times for 249 yards and four touchdowns to go with 9-for-18 passing for 70 yards and another score. He connected with Jacoby Woodbury six times for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Colo-NESCO was led by Andrew Seyller with 98 yards rushing and a touchdown. GMG’s Easton Sash intercepted Aidyn Short once, and Bodie Hutchinson recovered a fumble as the host Wolverines won the turnover battle 2-1.

GMG will visit BCLUW for an 8-Man game tonight, Friday, Oct. 23, to close out the season.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The GMG High School Class of 2029 float. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER