Stag Spirit Showdown Brings Local Businesses Together for Homecoming

Deer Park businesses are showing their school spirit as the Deer Park Football Club hosts the first annual Stag Spirit Showdown, inviting local businesses to decorate their storefronts in support of Deer Park High School students and athletes. The idea for the contest grew from a tradition that has been taking place among some Deer Park businesses. “Last year, Jess Mitchell at Noir started a trend and encouraged other businesses to show school spirit,” said Jenna Phillips, Booster Club president. “This is the first annual showcasing of businesses on our Facebook page where voting is involved.” Businesses throughout Deer Park are eligible to participate, Phillips said, and there is no cost to enter.

To participate, businesses simply decorate their storefronts with Stag-themed decorations and submit a photo to the Deer Park Football Club's Facebook page. “For this year’s homecoming, we would love to see as many Deer park businesses as possible participate by decorating their storefronts to support our Stags,” commented Carmen VanSickle, school board member atlarge. “Homecoming is all about community and coming together for our kids.” Phillips said businesses can decorate their storefronts inside or outside, although outside decorations are more visible to the public. There are no specific decorating guidelines or required theme, although homecoming and “Stay Proud” are encouraged, along with Deer Park's blue and gold school colors. The deadline to submit photos is Thursday, Sept. 24. “We wanted to recognize these awesome businesses that do and give so much to the Deer Park sports and programs while showing some ‘Stag Spirit,’” Phillips said. Several local businesses have already developed their own traditions of showing support for Deer Park athletes.

“There are several wonderful businesses that really support our high school sports. For example, Bikes by Deron and Picket Fence have made state send offs super special for our athletes and community by bringing the community out to cheer them on as they pass by these locations,” said Shauneen Flugel, Deer Park Football Club board member.

Phillips said the contest is about more than football. “It’s not just about football; we want to celebrate all these hard working kids this fall participating in football, volleyball, soccer, fast pitch, cross country, and band,” she said. The Stag Spirit Showdown will also give community members an opportunity to participate. Photos of participating businesses will be posted on the Deer Park Football Club's Facebook page, where residents can vote by liking their favorite storefront.

The top two businesses will then be shared again, with voting continuing until the homecoming game to determine the winner. The winner will be announced at the H o m e c o m i n g game on Friday, Sept. 25. The winning business will receive the spirit stick, which it can display throughout the year, along with two VIP tickets to the Deer Park Football Club's dinner auction on Oct. 17 at Evermore. The Booster Club will also recognize the winning business. For Phillips, however, the real prize is seeing businesses and residents come together to support local students. “Team comradery, it brings everyone together in the community as well as lifts spirit within the schools.” Phillips hopes the Stag Spirit Showdown becomes an annual tradition and grows beyond its first year.

“This is our first official showdown, but my favorite memory personally was having #77, my son Rody, class of 25, on Noir’s window,” she said. “It made me beam with pride.” She also hopes the enthusiasm spreads throughout the community. “I hope this event is contagious. I hope businesses will display their Stag pride all year long. Let’s decorate this town in blue and gold so when people visit, they know this is Stag country,” Phillips said. The Booster Club is encouraging businesses that may not have participated this year to join in future showdowns. “As soon as the school year kicks off – decorate your business,” Phillips said. “The kids see it, the people see it, and truly homecoming is coming back to school and kicking off the new school year.”