On a fall Saturday morning, the main street of the neighborhood is completely blocked off, and the sound of a marching band fills the air. People with folding chairs line the sides of the road, waiting for the float and cheerleader parade to begin. From parents holding their children's hands to seniors with canes, it looks like everyone in the neighborhood has come out.

When I first saw this scene, I thought it was just a school festival. But it turned out that local shops closed early, and everyone from retired seniors to newborn babies was out and about.

The night before the parade, there is usually a bonfire and pep rally. Students also participate in Spirit Week, dressing in school colors all week long.

This is what homecoming is all about. It is believed to have started in 1911 at the University of Missouri, when Chester Brewer, the athletic director at the time, suggested bringing alumni back for the Kansas game. With cheerleading events and parades, over ten thousand people showed up in the first year alone.

In fact, the roots of this culture go back even further than colleges. In the late 1800s, New England towns held Old Home Week events to bring back people who had moved away, and this trend later merged with college homecoming.

Of course, there is a debate over which institution started it first. Baylor University claims they began in 1909, and the University of Illinois also asserts its own origin.

Regardless of who is right, this event has been adopted by high schools since the 1930s. What was once a college campus event has become more casual and fostered a stronger sense of belonging at the community level.

Keeping this event running every year surprisingly requires a lot of effort. To block off the road for several hours, city hall approval is needed, and the school and police department must coordinate the route in advance.

With high school homecoming, the demographics of participants change completely. The floats are made overnight by the parent-teacher association, the parade is managed by the local fire department, and the concession stands at the game are filled by local restaurants on a rotating basis.

Floats are often not made from scratch each year; instead, the framework from the previous year is reused, with only the exterior being redecorated. This is a practical way to save budget and reduce waste.

During halftime of the game, there is also a ceremony to crown the homecoming king and queen. It felt strange at first, but I learned that this is a long-standing tradition at each school.

Interestingly, the power of this event to bring people together is unrelated to winning or losing. Even if the team performs poorly, the stands are packed, and simply being present earns applause.

For a few hours, neighbors of different races and economic backgrounds set up their folding chairs on the same lawn to cheer for the same team. I believe this scene is the true essence of the event. People who usually wouldn't cross paths sit side by side on that day.

I received a message recently from a family that had just moved to the U.S. They attended their first homecoming parade and were greeted by local residents, which made them realize, "This is my neighborhood."

Local restaurants also unanimously agree that their sales definitely increase on this day. This means that alumni returning after a long time spend a significant amount of money.

Seeing the entire town come together to invest their time and money is something I haven't often seen elsewhere. It's remarkable how everyone takes on roles without being told.

I believe the rhythm of the town that unfolds around the game is what truly matters. Shops close, volunteers come out, and alumni fly back from afar; this voluntary movement is what makes it special.

This kind of solidarity cannot be forced, which makes it even more admirable. Does your neighborhood have a similar event where everyone comes together? What are your thoughts?