The sun was shining; the weather seasonably mild; the floats were out and parading down Jericho Turnpike; Mineola was filled with school spirit; and the Mineola Mustangs football team didn't disappoint with a big overtime win over Locust Valley.

The theme of Mineola High School's 24th annual homecoming was "A Salute to the 70's." The theme gave the Mineola schools an opportunity to get creative with costumes and floats. While marching on the parade route, you could see Darth Vader, the Sesame Street characters, beads and flowers. The floats were perfectly thought out with a Saturday Night Fever fever, complete with John Travolta replica, a Sesame Street float, a Partridge Family float and even a Star Wars float of an X-Wing fighter being piloted by none other than Princess Leia.

The parade concluded at the Hampton Street Stadium. If a referendum had been passed by voters earlier this year, future football games would be played at Mineola High School, but since it failed, the Hampton Street Stadium will have to do for now and there was plenty of excitement there.

New Mineola High School Principal Ed Escobar recognized the dignitaries including Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, Village Trustees Linda Fairgrieve, Paul Cusato and John DaVanzo, Mineola Board of Education members Donna Strein, Mary Ellen Williams, Steve Siwinski, John McGrath and Lawrence Carroll, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli and Deputy Superintendent and former high school Principal Dr. Michael Nagler. Also recognized was homecoming king Max Wolf, queen Lauren Napolitano, junior princess Mary Ellen Owens, sophomore princess Lauren O'Neill and freshman princess Lauren Granath.

The other honorees were on the football field as the Mineola Mustangs pulled out a dramatic overtime win to improve to 2-1 in Conference IV.

Locust Valley had gotten on the board first 7-0 but Mineola answered in the second quarter with two touchdowns, the first on a 43-yard run by junior Chris Orlando, who had 100 yards rushing for the day, and the second on a 17-yard pass play from junior quarterback Jon Hock.

Locust Valley tied the score in the fourth quarter setting the stage for Mineola's dramatic win. On the first play of overtime, senior Tiago Rodrigues scampered 20 yards. Mineola then held Locust Valley. Senior Nelson Lopes made the stop on the final play of the game.

If you missed Saturday's homecoming game, you will have the opportunity to see the Mustangs in a rare Saturday night game. They will be playing on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. against North Shore High School at Hampton Stadium under the lights. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors, which will go toward the cost of renting the lights.