Friends of Weakley County Training School

08/15/2026

08/11/2026

Homecoming 2026
“There’s No Place Like Home”

Dear Homecomers,

It’s that time of year again. We are celebrating the 99th Year of Homecoming. The entire county is excited and looking forward to your return. Our parade continues to grow with more participants each year. Our Grand Marshall this year is our Super Bowl Hero, Mr. Justin Harrell. He was defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers. We are honoring our African American outstanding educators. Niki Claybrooks, Milan Special School District; Kimberly Ware, Martin Middle School; and Deatrick Kenny, outstanding principal for the entire State of Kentucky.
Our entertainment this year is magnificent and will begin immediately after the conclusion of the parade. Our amazing DJ, Petey Rock. Here are a few of our artists that will entertain you. Rhythm Nation, our professional dance team. I am sure you remember them from last year performing “Boots on the Ground”; gospel recording artist, Mr. Jerry Warren. Jerry recently had an album released in Jackson, TN. WBBJ Channel 7 covered this exciting event. We are expecting them to come because they have followed his career. Spiritually Speaking Record Artist Quincy Porter and daughter will be doing gospel raps; gospel rap by “Lifeologist” and Zero Doubt Christian Professional Rap Artist; Carol Claybrooks Humphreys a Mezzo Soprano gospel soloist; gospel soloist Teresa Lockridge Edwards; Charles Watkins, saxophonist; and Drill Team Queens will be making their appearance in the park as well. We have a petting zoo for children.

Our vendors this year are simply amazing. Charles Watkins, designer of men’s wear; designer purses, shoes, and jewelry; we a Jimmy Choo representative; a vendor with African artwork and jewelry; lemonade and specialty fruit drinks; face painting; ice truck and much more. One of our vendors will feature authentic African attire made in Nigeria by designer, Youree Maddox Dickerson. Her clothing was featured and modeled on the runaway in Los Angeles, CA. She is also a custom suit designer in Dallas, TX. Her designs are inclusive settings for weddings, proms, and other occasions.

If you are planning to participate in the parade, please be at the University of Tennessee at Martin football stadium parking lot at 9:00am on Saturday, August 15th. Our parade route is as follows: beginning on University Street and ending at the corner of Lindell and Church Street at Cadillac’s. Our festivities will be held at Viriginia Weldon Park. We will be honoring students who have been awarded scholarships. Our entertainment will be amazing. If you would like to be a part of the entertainment or be a vendor, please let us know. The vendor spots are rapidly filling up. Please contact any of the people listed below:

Beverly Claybrooks, President: (731) 819-6347
Tara Tansil-Gentry, Executive Secretary: (731) 571-7972
Niki Claybrook, Parade Coordinator: (731) 819-5873

04/01/2026

Travel with me to Martin, Tennessee, where historian and educator Beverly Caldwell Claybrooks shares the rich history of Weakley County Training School, a hi...

04/01/2026

08/19/2023

We had a great parade this morning! We are having fellowship at the school on the old football field!

08/18/2023

Welcome back Home! This the “96” Homecoming Event!

Saturday, August 19th: parade will begin at 10am. The lineup will start at 9am. We will lineup at Martin City Hall.

Parade route: We will turn left out of the City Hall parking lot onto University Street then make an immediate left turn onto Lindell. We will go down Lindell and make a right turn at the traffic light onto to Jackson Street. We will cross the train tracks and make a left turn on N. McCombs Street. We will end at the old school building.

We will have food and fellowship again on the old football field from 10am until 3pm! We will food and vendors on the field.

We need your support! Come and join the parade, then come and fellowship on the field! When you participate you will help continue to make this event bigger each year.

We are the process of making plans to renovate the old school building and we have a brick campaign currently going on. If you attended Weakley County Training School or Martin Middle School, then we encourage you to purchase a brick for $250. We will have a wall in our new building with bronze plates of donors who purchase a brick.

08/12/2023

Homecoming is one week away! Are you making plans to attend? Parade will start at 10am and will end at the old school building on North McCombs!

We will have vendors again on the old football field from the 10am until 3pm!

07/27/2023

Who is also ready for Homecoming?? We will be back again this year!

The parade route will be the same: line up at City Hall; go down Lindell and turn right on Jackson Street, then left on North McComb! Parade will start at 10:00am: line up by 9:30am!

We will be back at the old school building on the football field! Please bring your lawn chairs and tents (umbrellas, etc.)!

Anyone interested in being a vendor please contact Beverly Claybrooks (731-819-6347) or Tara Tansil-Gentry (731-571-7973)!