Homecoming - 50 years for Niwot High School

It took 50 years, but Niwot High School finally played and won a truly "home" football game. And a steady mist throughout the evening didn't seem to put a damper on the attendance, or the team's overall performance.

The 50th anniversary of the opening of Niwot High School brought out former students, players and faculty from across the years as the school celebrated with a 15-6 victory over Skyview in the first varsity football game ever played at the school on Sept. 9.

The school, which opened late in 1972 due to construction delays, had played every varsity home football game at Everly-Montgomery Field next to Longmont High School, but a recent construction project installed lights, artificial turf, and a perimeter fence at the former practice field at Niwot High, allowing the school to schedule a true "homecoming" game.

The team did not disappoint the fans, bringing home a victory in spite of a steady drizzle throughout the contest, which made pass-catching an adventure. The game was the culmination of a week of activity at the school, which featured a Friday afternoon Homecoming Parade from the school, past Cottonwood Square and through downtown Niwot. The traditional Homecoming Dance was held at the school after the game.

Homecoming royalty and floats of all shapes and sizes participated in the parade, led by Mountain View Fire Rescue trucks and Boulder County Sheriff's Office vehicles. The Niwot High School Marching Band set up in front of the former Niwot Rental & Feed store, rather than march the one-and-a-half mile parade route, performing throughout the parade.

Later, the band performed a halftime "Magic" show, including familiar tunes such as "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic."

The school gave tours of the school to former students, faculty and members of the public, showcasing the many improvements made since the school first opened in December of 1972. Members of the graduating classes of 1974, 1975 and 1976 were recognized during the game.

The Niwot High School Boosters were on hand to provide hamburgers and hot dogs before the game at the front entrance to the school. After the game, several classes made plans to meet up at various establishments to reconnect and reminisce.