McCall Plaza in Downtown Plano Beams with HOCO Mum pride

The Downtown Plano Arts District is celebrating hometown school spirit this Fall with four bigger-than-life homecoming mums representing each of the city’s secondary schools! You’ll find them proudly displayed in McCall Plaza.

To get the low down on this creative display, I asked Downtown Plano Manager Michelle Hawkins about its origin story.

AMY: I love the big idea of a homecoming mum display! Where did this idea come from?

MICHELLE: We’ve always thought of Downtown Plano as being about the local community—students, families, and neighbors coming together. When homecoming season rolled around in 2024, we wanted to create something special that celebrated that spirit. The idea was simple: give students and alumni a place to gather and take photos during one of the most nostalgic times of the year. We started with displays for the three senior high schools, and this year we proudly added the fourth, Academy High, to bring everyone together in one shared tradition.

We didn’t want to be the biggest display ever. That’s not what we were going for. We wanted them to be big enough to be bold, but also be able to fit the mum into pictures well. My favorite is when we bring all the mums together in one picture showing unity across the schools.

AMY: Why is the Downtown Plano Arts District the ideal place for this photo op display?

MICHELLE: The Downtown Plano Arts District is the heart of our community—it’s where history, culture, and local pride all meet. With its walkable streets, vibrant mix of restaurants, shops, and art, it’s a natural gathering place for our community and belongs to everyone. Hosting the homecoming mum display here connects the tradition of HOCO with the character of our Downtown, giving everyone a central, welcoming spot to celebrate and capture their memories.

AMY: What is it about homecoming mums that captures Texas school spirit and pride?

MICHELLE: Homecoming mums are one of the most recognizable symbols of Texas school spirit. They’re big, bold, full of personality and uniquely Texas. Every ribbon, flower, and charm tells a story about the student wearing it, from their school colors to their hobbies and friendships. Mums aren’t just decorations; they’re traditions passed down through generations. They’re a way of showing pride not only in a school, but in the community that supports it.

AMY: Who created the mums?

MICHELLE: The mums were created by Cyclone Signs, the talented team behind many of our Downtown Plano photo ops throughout the year. They’ve helped us bring fun, seasonal ideas to life in creative, eye-catching ways.

AMY: How has the response been so far? How long will the mums be on display?

MICHELLE: This year the mums are really developing a following! Students, faculty and families are making special trips Downtown just to see them and take pictures. The displays will stay up through mid-October, so there’s plenty of time for everyone to stop by, show off their school spirit, and be part of the celebration.

AMY: What else would you like to add about the Downtown Plano Arts District or this particular initiative?

MICHELLE: The Downtown Plano Arts District is more than just a backdrop—it’s where community and culture come together. Our goal with initiatives like the homecoming mum display is to make Downtown to feel like home. These mums are one small but meaningful way we celebrate what makes Plano special: school pride, local creativity, and the connections that keep our community strong.