By HILARY MATHESON

The Daily Inter Lake

Bigfork, Columbia Falls and Whitefish high schools will celebrate homecoming next week with sports games, parades and dances.

•  Whitefish High School begins homecoming activities Sunday with a student decorating competition in the quest to win the “spirit jug” award.

The high school is also asking local businesses to get into the spirit of homecoming through the annual window decorating contest.

Business owners are asked to paint their windows in green-and-gold high school colors. Businesses are also asked to display messages of school spirit and support.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three businesses showing the most pride.

The public is invited to attend a community open house from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15 followed by a homecoming kickoff celebration at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Field.

A parade through downtown Whitefish will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18.

A homecoming dance is planned for Whitefish students only from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the multipurpose room.

Several home sports games are scheduled. A football game versus Stevensville will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 18. Homecoming royalty will be crowned during halftime.

Boys soccer will be at 5 p.m. and girls soccer (both games against Polson) at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 will cap the week’s events.

For more information about the window decorating contest call Lonnie Collinsworth at 862-8600, extension 433, or by email at collinsworthl@whitefishschools.org.

•  Columbia Falls will celebrate homecoming Sept. 14 through 19.

The homecoming football game starts at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 against Browning. Homecoming royalty will be crowned during halftime.

A dance is planned for students on Sept. 18.

•  At Bigfork High School, a girls soccer game is planned at 3:30 p.m. and boys soccer at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17. Both games are against Polson.

A homecoming parade is planned on Sept. 18 at a time to be determined. The parade will begin at the high school and go through downtown Bigfork.

A football game against Mission will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 and homecoming royalty will be crowned during halftime.

The homecoming volleyball game against Anaconda is Sept. 19. Freshmen will play starting at 1 p.m.

A homecoming dance for Bigfork High School students and approved guests is planned from 8 to 11 p.m. Sept. 19. Cost is $3 per person or $5 per couple.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.