While the end result of Friday night's Homecoming football game may not be what Viking fans would have wanted, the main event match-up provided many opportunities to experience and celebrate the talents and abilities of Denmark students throughout.

During all the excitement and fun that makes up the annual celebration of Homecoming, Denmark High School (DHS) students took some time to do some good for those in need. For several years now, the Homecoming festivities have included initiatives that go beyond school spirit and aim to make a positive impact in the community and beyond.

While the bulk of the traditional Homecoming celebrations centered around the high school, students and staff at the elementary and middle schools also found numerous opportunities to get in on the fun. Throughout the week, each school hosted a number of fun activities including dress-up days, pep rallies and fundraisers. We spoke with staff from each school to learn more.

On Friday afternoon, the streets of the Village of Denmark came alive for this year's Homecoming Parade. A variety of school teams and organizations were highlighted in the procession as spectators cheered on from the side of the street. The Denmark News was stationed at our regular parade viewing spot near Village Hall to take in this year's spectacle for ourselves.

On Friday morning, the student body of Denmark High School (DHS) gathered in the Gold Gymnasium for an annual celebration of class pride and school spirit. This year's Homecoming Pep Rally succeeded in firing up students before the night's big game with over four hours of zany and off-the-wall competitions to determine which grade level has the most school spirit.

This past Saturday night brought with it the traditional Homecoming Dance with all the associated pomp and circumstance. This year’s celebration came with a change of venue with the dance being held at The Woods Golf Club in Green Bay instead of the high school gymnasium. For several hours, Denmark High School students took over the event venue for an evening of dancing and socializing with music provided by a DJ.

On Thursday night, the smell of powder and the sound of gunfire filled the air as local sportsmen commemorated the end of another successful season of shooting. That night, the Denmark Rod & Gun Club hosted their annual Fun Night and Banquet with the season's top shooters facing off in a friendly competition of marksmanship. The Denmark News was in attendance to witness the final shoot-offs for ourselves.

Editor's note: This year, we have partnered with OneDenmark to bring you a series of articles about their organization and their ongoing project to renovate the former Early Childhood Center into a state-of-the-art community center.

On Saturday, hundreds of automobile enthusiasts, prize seekers and general fun lovers filled the shore of Lily Lake for a yearly event that brings together the Polish Legion of American Veterans - Poland Post 186 (PLAV) and the Monkey Business Fun Club for a one-of-a-kind car show on a one-of-a-kind lake.

On Saturday, hundreds of booyah lovers flocked to the world-famous Circle Tap for an annual competition celebrating the succulent stew while raising funds for a fantastic local organization. That afternoon, supporters of Denmark Sting Cancer hosted their 28th Annual Booyah Cook-Off at the acclaimed tavern with nine local chefs facing off in a friendly competition to determine who has the best recipe.

For the last four weeks, the parishioners of Zion United Methodist Church in the Village of Denmark have been welcoming a new spiritual leader to their congregation. Pastor Tamra Schneider assumed the lead role at the local church on September 1 and has spent the last month getting to know her new flock as well as the greater Denmark community.

This week, the Denmark School District, as well as the greater Denmark community, will be observing another year of a longstanding fall tradition celebrating local pride, youth sports and our Denmark Vikings. Homecoming 2025 is now upon us, and Denmark students have been spending the week celebrating and preparing for this weekend's main events.

The sixth part in our Cooperstown Valley series takes us to a beautifully pristine, well-maintained and lesser-known natural wonderland located just to the south of Cherney Maribel Caves County Park. The Richard J. Drumm Memorial Forest is situated along the eastern banks of the West Twin River and features just under 50 acres of preserved wilderness for everyone to enjoy.

Last week, we ventured just southwest of Shirley to get a firsthand look at a one-of-a-kind business centered in creativity, nostalgia and artistry. Located in rural Morrison, "Nostalgic Twist" has been captivating shoppers and providing a venue for local artists for just over one year and is truly a sight to behold for anyone who admires fine craftsmanship and artistry.

Last month, students from the Denmark School District's alternative school--Viking Academy--embarked on a four-day learning adventure in the northern woods of Wisconsin. From September 7-10, students attended this year's Trees for Tomorrow program in Eagle River which featured an immersive and educational experience focused on the study of biology, ecology and survival skills.