CRESTVIEW — An already enthusiastic crowd was even more delighted when Drew Barefield made one of his first public appearances since returning to Crestview.
Drew was junior grand marshal at Friday’s Crestview High School Homecoming parade on Main Street, smiling broadly as he tossed candy to the cheering throng.
The 12-year-old was injured in a June 28 boating accident and spent several months between Pensacola and Atlanta hospitals undergoing rehabilitation after he was struck by a speeding boat’s propeller while he was snorkeling.
“It was so cool seeing him looking so well,” resident Gloria Matthews said. “We have been praying for Drew. Everybody has.”
Former Crestview High School Principal Bob Jones served as the parade’s senior grand marshall.
The Barefield family’s Jeep joined the Big Red Machine, the Crestview High ROTC battalion, school athletes, class floats, alumni, city leaders, Homecoming court royalty perched on convertibles, and businesses’ vehicles in the 30-minute parade.
Before the parade started, Mayor David Cadle, formerly director of the Crestview High band, chatted with his successor, Jody Dunn. The men agreed that for the head of a band, Homecoming was a long day.
“It’s the hardest day of the year, isn’t it?” Cadle asked.
“We won’t be done until 1 a.m.,” Dunn replied.
After the band marched past their families’ vantage point in front of the former New Central Café, Xander Gray, 6, and Abigail Eastridge, 5, got down to the nitty gritty of the parade: catching candy.
“I got Skittles,” Abigail said triumphantly as she snaked under a barricade to claim her prize.
The Bulldogs faced the Pine Forest Eagles Friday evening.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bulldogs take over Main Street; Drew Barefield surprises crowd (VIDEO)