This year’s
homecoming weekend commemorates 75 years of Appalachian State University’s
football tradition.
It is also the busiest weekend of the year for the university, with
many student and alumni activities sharing the spotlight alongside
the football game against East Tennessee State University on Saturday.
Events for this year’s celebration include the annual LipSync
competition, pep rally, the homecoming parade and the rock-and-roll
tailgate party.
This year’s theme, “Black and Golden Oldies,” was
chosen by students earlier this year via online voting during the
spring semester.
Homecoming kicks off on Wednesday night with the LipSync preliminaries
and is open to all students living on campus, Greek organizations
and any university-funded organization.
The final LipSync competition will take place Friday night at Duck
Pond Field on a professional stage set-up.
A pep rally led by David Jackson, the voice of ASU football, will
follow the LipSync competition, and a bonfire and fireworks display
will conclude the night’s festivities on Duck Pond Field.
Students missed the bonfire the last two years because poor weather
conditions have caused cancellation of the event. The forecast looks
as if the event will go on as planned this year, which is a relief
to Student Programs director Dave Robertson.
“The bonfire is a really exciting event that we’ve missed
the last two years,” Robertson said.
“We had about 3,000 people attend three years ago, and it’s
a great way to build spirit in the community,” he said.
Following the festivities on Friday night, the homecoming parade
begins at 11 a.m.
“This year’s parade will be much shorter with less up-hill
walking for those participating,” Robertson said, “It
should be much easier and more fun for the students.”
Following the parade is the tailgate party on Duck Pond Field prior
to the football game.
Student Programs and the Alumni Association are sponsoring the event.
There will be food vendors set up as well as student and alumni
organization tents.
“There will be 31 groups represented at this year’s tailgate
party and we help sponsor and promote the events that will take
place,” said Associate Alumni Director Tracey Ford.
Woodland’s, Makotos, and Appalachian Food Services will be
catering the tailgate party.
Food Services will also be providing students with the convenience
of being able to use their AppCard.
Homecoming festivities will be documented by MTV, which makies its
second appearance on Appalachian’s campus in the last two years.
This year’s appearance is gathering footage for MTV’s
homecoming weekend special, which will air Oct. 18.
Various concerts, films and parties will also be part of homecoming
weekend. For more information, visit http://homecoming.appstate.edu
or the information desk on the first floor of Plemmons Student Union. |
