After two years, Homecoming traditions will be making a grand return to campus October 25-30, 2021.

There are campus events and fun competitions for students, alumni and faculty all week long during this year’s “Roaring 20’s” themed Homecoming Week.

It all starts at 7 p.m. Monday the 25th in Memorial Union’s Washburn Room with Homecoming Bash, formerly known as the Homecoming Ball. The name change signifies a slight alteration to this year’s new version of the annual dance party, by going without the strictly formal dress code. Students can wear what is comfortable to them. The event stops at 10pm, but before it does, the Top Bods finalists, narrowed down to those remaining in contention for the crown at halftime, and the winner of a mystery raffle, will be announced.

Another change to note is the location of the monthly social After Hours, which will be held in the Washburn Room at Memorial Union specially for Homecoming Week, from 5-7 p.m. Friday the 29th. Performing music will be The Brothers Blue. It’s five dollars at the door without a membership entry.

Open Mic Night, 7 p.m. Tuesday the 26th, has been moved to the Washburn Room as well.

“The reason for that is because Mabee Library has always been very crowded and the audio system is not perhaps what we would all prefer. So in the Washburn Room, we have a better audio system. We have better speakers and we can accommodate more people with social distance to keep everyone safe,” said Special Events Director with the WSGA, and junior elementary education major, Ariel Smith.

Wednesday the 27th, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Memorial Union will host jazz singer Sweet Baby J’ai. There will also be free giveaways and surprises that one will have to be present to find out. This is also the best time to visit the Memorial Union for last minute Ichabod attire.

The Yell Like Hell Pep Rally, during which teams of student organizations, chapters and athletics will perform self-choreographed routines, is Thursday the 28th at 8 p.m. in Lee Arena.
The Homecoming Parade will set off at 10 a.m. from 19th & MacVicar, featuring the Top Bods finalists and floats. There will be a lot of tailgating time, after the last float returns to campus at 21st & Jewell, for two hours before kickoff at 1 p.m.

This is a reminder that 17th Street from MacVicar to Washburn will be blocked for traffic, as well as Washburn Avenue to 21st Street and then 21st to Jewell, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Opposition entering Yager Stadium for the quintessential Homecoming Game this year are the 2-6 Riverhawks of Northeastern State University. The crowning of the Top Bods will be conducted at halftime.

So many people and campus organizations have put in a lot of work to make this Homecoming extra special.

“We’ve been planning for six months,” said Smith.

WSGA Vice President, and senior finance and economics major, Dylan Babcock is especially looking forward to all the spirit revolving around Homecoming floats.

“Last year we couldn’t have a typical parade, so I’m really excited about the parade being back and seeing all the people in it,” said Babcock.

It all leads to Saturday, where the first event for the day begins in the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center at a.m. -10 a.m. All are welcome to come eat breakfast at the Pancake Feed for five dollars without membership. While not required, the Alumni Association would appreciate people visiting www.wualumni.org/homecoming to give a heads up so the cooks can estimate how many people are coming and reduce food waste.

That Alumni Association webpage is also a great resource for any other information regarding this year’s Homecoming Week.

Edited By: Simran Shrestha and Alyssa Storm