Homecoming festivities kick off at Valley Stream Central High School on Friday, Oct. 6 with a pasta dinner from 6-7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria to which students, parents and faculty are all invited. New this year, the dinner will be followed by an evening pep rally at 7:30 p.m. in the gym, with introductions of all fall athletic teams and coaches, a performance by the Streamers kickline and announcement of the winners of Homecoming King and Queen elections and large and small banner contests.

Nominees for Homcoming Queen this year are seniors Deana Bianchi, Theresa Lombardo and Gisella Vinas. Homecoming King candidates are seniors Joseph Ciancarelli, Douglas Muhlbauer and Michael Pogozelski.

Homecoming, coordinated by Student Activities Director Doreen Kealey continues on Saturday, Oct. 7, with the traditional parade, stepping off at 12:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to line the route to Firemen's Field.

The Homecoming football game against Oceanside kicks off at 2 p.m. At halftime, the marching band and Streamers kickline will entertain to the theme of "Eagles on Broadway."

Valley Stream North High School's Homecoming on October 7 caps a full week of activities labeled "Spirit Week."

Organized by the student council under faculty advisor Cookie Alden, Spirit Week includes dress-up days like Crazy Hat Day, Twins Day, and Green-and-White Day, balloon sales, a banner contest, pep rally, election of homecoming king and queen and a homecoming dance.

Nominated to this year's royal court are queen candidates Eileen Assante, Rosalie Barbera, Ashley Delio, Jen DiGiovanna, Andrea Giarraffa and Jamie Mastrangelo. King candidates are Steven Conigliaro, Mike Fassrainer, Robbie Ingenito, Charles Saikum and Mike Spitaleri.

The crowning of the king and queen takes place near the end of the glittery homecoming buffet dinner dance on Friday, Oct. 6 in the school gym.

The theme for the dance, as well as for the floats and banners in the parade, which steps off at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 from the student parking lot, is "A Night at the Oscars." Residents are encouraged to line the parade route, which meanders through the streets to the west and south of the high school and ends in the teachers' parking lot. Included in the line of march will be the North High School Spartan Band and cheerleaders, the homecoming court, classes and clubs with their banners, the teachers, the North PTSA and Spartan Club and the North Alumni Association.

After the parade, at 12:30 p.m., the Spartan Club will hold a ceremony at the goal posts for senior football players and cheerleaders and their parents. The homecoming football game against Friends Academy starts at 2 p.m. At halftime, the Spartan band will perform to the theme of "Celebrate 2000."