Mineola homecoming court tries to stay dry

Huddled under umbrellas in their evening gowns to escape the pouring rain, Mineola High School’s homecoming princesses -- junior Julianne Caruso, sophomore Megan LaFaye and freshman Anne Cripps -- climbed into their chariot, fit for homecoming royalty, in the shape of a mustang -- the school mascot. The homecoming queen, senior Kathryn Priolo, finally arrived after running late, and homecoming king Leo Gorry had already rushed off to play defensive end in the big game.

The village of Mineola then kicked off its 32nd annual homecoming parade, having started the celebration earlier in the week with announcements of the student royalty and official toilet-papering.

Seniors garbed in “Stay C14ssy Mineola” T-shirts, war paint and bandanas who had been waiting for years to drive their cars behind the royal chariot finally got their chance. Their cars were dripping with paint from the decorations they put on their cars, and their once-airborne balloons were pounded down by the rain.

But their spirits were far from dampened.

"Throwing the confetti, that was a lot of fun," said Katharine Hoops, 17, who rode in one of the cars behind the homecoming queen and princesses.

By the time the Mineola Mustangs took the field , onlookers were holding programs over their eyes and squinting. The sun was out and it was time to play.