It’s Rivalry Week!

Established by the city of Ceres in partnership with Ceres Unified School District, the Crosstown Showdown Parade will be staged today to generate additional excitement for the Ceres High-Central Valley varsity and junior-varsity football games.

“There’s already so much community support for the Crosstown Showdown football games,” said Dan Pangrazio, CUSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services. “A parade just seemed like a natural next step in bringing our city together, showcasing community spirit, and celebrating our athletes and schools.”

The Crosstown Showdown Parade will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. around Smyrna Park.

“The district has done a good job promoting the event,” Central Valley Athletic Director Greg Magni said. “It’s something new. The kids will have a good time. That’s all that matters.”

“The concept is great—bring everybody together,” Bulldogs’ interim head coach Brett Johnson said. “Hopefully, the community supports both sides. Just because the kids wear different colors, that’s all right. They’re all Ceres kids.”

“It’s a good thing for the community to promote support for both schools and the game in general,” Central Valley head coach Derrick Goblirsch said. “It will bring positive energy.”

The parade will begin on Fowler Road between the Ceres Lions Pavilion and Mae Hensley Junior High School. Football players, cheerleaders, dance teams and student bands from both high schools will march east, make right turns onto Rose Avenue, Garrison Street, Moffett Road, and back onto Fowler to return to the starting point. Central Valley High School will step off first, as decided by a coin toss.

Letters were mailed to residents who may be affected by road closures along the route.

“It’s finally happening,” Central Valley senior running back/linebacker Felix Arellano said. “They were pushing for it to happen my sophomore year. I’m looking forward to it. They’ve never had anything like this before.”

“People have been asking us about it in class,” Ceres High third-year quarterback Landyn Hudson said. “It’s something different. It brings both high schools and people around the city together.”

Junior varsity plays at 5 p.m. and varsity at 7:30 p.m. 

Tickets may be purchased online at https://gofan.co or at the gate.