BELLEFONTE — When Jeremy Rose graduated from Bellefonte Area High School in 1998, little did he know that he would one day return to be honored at his alma mater’s homecoming.
This year, the school district is centering all of its homecoming activities — from Thursday’s parade to Friday’s pre-game ceremony — on Rose, who gained notoriety as the jockey who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes aboard Afleet Alex.
The two-day celebration begins at 2:30 p.m. Thursday with an assembly in the high school auditorium, followed by a parade that evening through downtown Bellefonte. Rose is expected to be featured in the parade with grand marshall Bob Wallace, who is touted as the founding father of the Bellefonte homecoming parade.
A social with Rose and the Bellefonte Wrestling Association is scheduled after the parade at the Elks Lodge on High Street. While in high school, Rose was a member of the wrestling team.
Festivities will continue with a pre-game ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Friday, at which the wrestling association will announce that a donation has been made in Rose’s name to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Following the pre-game show, Rose will toss the game coin.
“He’s been a great asset to the Bellefonte community and Bellefonte high school, “wrestling coach Larry Walker said.
Making the donation on Rose’s behalf, he said, “show’s our appreciation on how well he’s represented our town and community of Bellefonte.”
Throughout this week, lemonade stands will be set up in the school cafeterias and Friday night at the football game against Lewistown. All proceeds will go to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which supports pediatric cancer research.
Ivonne D’Amato can be reached at 231-4619.
Wrestling Gear
