This year, the Frisco Community Parade, a lasting tradition that unites the city as organizations gather and walk through downtown, could not be held due to reconstruction in the rail district. Instead, the city hosted the first ever Community Pep Rally at the Frisco RoughRiders Stadium on Feb. 8.
“This is planned to be a one-time event, so it’s unique and special,” Sherry LeVine, special events specialist for the Frisco ISD Community Relations Department said. “The pep rally in place of the parade, which was postponed this year, and an opportunity to celebrate our community in a new way.”
According to Friscoparade.com, a pep rally had the theme of “We ♡ Frisco” and had many different community groups taking part, with many activities for children, such as face painting.
“Community participants include entries from local businesses, military organizations and even Miss Frisco,” LeVine said. “There are about 70 entries in total, 30 from FISD. Frisco ISD bands and cheer teams, plus a couple of the football teams, our Board of Trustees and 2024 Elementary Teacher of the Year, Tara Yell.”
Different community groups had stands in the stadium with games and information tables. Cheer teams from many schools walked along the field, and bands played two short pieces of music to showcase their Frisco spirit, including Raccoon marching band.
“We played some of our basic stand tunes that we prepare during marching season,” flute payer Medha Punugoti, ‘25, said. “It’s also some of the same songs we play during pep rallies at school.”
The change to the pep rally was set relatively early, construction has been going on downtown since July 2024. As well as being a great way to gather the city, the proceeds from the community groups involved will be added to the Frisco Education Foundation for student scholarships.
“The committee is composed of staff from both the City of Frisco and Frisco ISD,” LeVine said. “Planning began about eight weeks ago. Play Frisco does the main logistical planning and Frisco ISD’s Community Relations Department is the liaison to the district.”
Although the traditional “community parade” took a different form, according to Friscoparade.com, the plan is to get back to the original parade in fall of 2026.
“It feels good to be a part of something that brings together everyone in Frisco,” Punugoti said. “This is the one time a year we are able to see our friends from other bands and be together, so that part is nice too.”
