Country music and North Summit High School trivia rang out from the loudspeakers prior to the start of the annual homecoming parade in Coalville on Wednesday night. Parade goers of all ages lined Main Street to watch the procession go one direction and return the other.
Following the parade, the community was invited to the Washakie Field for a special alumni assembly to commemorate the unveiling of the Chief Washakie statue on the north-west side of the field. Several descendants of Chief Washakie spoke during the assembly and members of the Eastern Shoshone tribe performed various dances. Before the grand unveiling, George Abeyta, great-great-grandson of Chief Washakie, invited the community to join him in a circle dance on the football field.
The American flag is carried in on horseback on the second pass of the parade in Coalville on Wednesday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Parade attendees stand for the flag at the start of the Homecoming parade on Wednesday in Coalville. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
The North Summit cheer team waves to parade goers on Wednesday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Members of the undefeated North Summit High School football team ride on fire engines during the parade on Wednesday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
North Summit High School homecoming court members wave from their float. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Members of the North Summit Mountainbike team perform tricks in the parade. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
When the time came to pull back the gold-sequenced cloth covering the statue, kids crowded the fence around it, adults making their way not far behind. NaVee Vernon, one of the figures who championed the statue, pointed out the full moon that began to rise above the ridge line.
Then the long-anticipated wait was over, the fabric fell to reveal the bronze statue of Chief Washakie on horseback and a cacophony of whispered excitement and applause from the crowd filled the air.
The statue was created by Montana-based artist John Pettis and weighs around 2,300 pounds. It faces the school in homage to Chief Washakie’s stance on the importance of education. A quote on the base of the statue reads, “I fought to keep our land, our water, and our hunting ground. Today education is the weapon my people will need to protect them.”
Kastin Dreamz Robbins, 8, performs before the start of the alumni assembly on Wednesday evening at Washakie Field in Coalville. Robbins is a descendant of Chief Washakie and the grandson of Lucie Washakie. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
NaVee Vernon receives a rose during the alumni assembly. Vernon is a member of the committee that helped bring the statue of Chief Washakie to fruition. She also compiled stories and information into the book, “Washakie, last chief of the eastern Shoshone people”, which chronicles information about the namesake of Washakie Field. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
The homecoming court is recognized during the alumni assembly. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Keeli King, 11, performs a hoop dance during the assembly. King is the granddaughter of George Abeyta, who is the great great grandson of Chief Washakie. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Brave to the Bone members sit on the field during the alumni assembly. One of the descendants of Chief Washakie who spoke said how proud he was to see the name Washakie Field on the scoreboard. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
George Abeyta performs with Kastin Dreamz Robbins prior to the unveiling of the Chief Washakie statue on Wednesday. Abeyta is the great great grandson of Chief Washakie. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
George Abeyta performs prior to the unveiling of the Chief Washakie statue on Wednesday. Abeyta has been an educator for 32 years and said he wouldn’t have missed the ceremony for anything. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
