GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The City of Gatlinburg will proudly host a spirited community sendoff celebration on Thursday, December 4, to honor the undefeated Gatlinburg-Pittman High School Highlanders as they depart for the Class AAA State Championship game.
Fresh off their impressive semifinal victory over Tyner Academy on Friday, the Highlanders are heading to the state title game for the first time in school history under second-year Head Coach Tyler Williams.
The celebration will begin at 9:30 a.m., when the team, joined by GPHS cheerleaders and band members, along with football team alumni and former coaches, will take part in a ceremonial walk down the Parkway. The walk begins at Parkway’s intersection with Reagan Drive and will conclude at Parkway’s intersection with Cherokee Orchard Road, where brief remarks will recognize the team’s remarkable season and wish the team well for their pursuit of the program’s first-ever state championship.
GPHS football alumni and former coaches are invited to gather at 9 a.m. at the Reagan Drive intersection to meet with the current team prior to the walk and share in this moment of Highlander pride. Local businesses and community members are encouraged to wear blue and gold, bring signs of support, and line the Parkway to cheer on this exceptional group of student-athletes.
A short, temporary closure of the Parkway between Reagan Drive and Cherokee Orchard Road will be in place from 9–10 a.m. to ensure the safety of participants and spectators during the celebration.
The Highlanders will face Westview in the Class AAA State Championship on Friday at 11 a.m. at Finley Stadium on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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