Wondering who is keeping everything in order for the big homecoming day?  The parade committee has been hard at work for months to secure the route and make sure you have a great homecoming experience!  Although they have decided to keep the same route as last year, they are hoping to bring back the legends float and make several other exciting additions to the parade. 

            Parade also selected a very exciting emcee.  Johnny Bananas, one time cast member of the real world, will be the host for Penn State’s Homecoming Parade.  Parade is also trying really hard to make the big day go nice and smooth.  The drivers of the floats will be attending a workshop to ensure safety for everyone there.  Parade’s biggest goal is to stay organized for a successful parade day.  They have been contacting VIP”S and legends, making sure organizations meed guidelines, and a lot more.  Make sure your organization keeps up with Parade so that you have a successful homecoming too!!

 

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Are you in a band?  Are you up for the challenge of getting thousands of Penn Staters pumped up for Homecoming?  If you think your band has what it takes, consider applying for a showcase in the Raise the Song Band Bash!  As long as at least one member of your band is a Penn State student, you are eligible to register here.  The top 3 bands selected will be invited to play to an 18 and over crowd during Homecoming weekend.  Need more motivation?  The winning band will get to play on stage during THON 2009!  It’s an excellent way to get your band’s name out while having a great time, so don’t forget to register by September 26 at 5pm.

Students, check back for the time and location of the Band Bash.  Student organizations will be awarded spirit points for every member that comes out!

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Registration has opened for the Homecoming Parade and the Alumni Tailgate Competition!

One of the best ways to get involved in Homecoming, the Parade showcases floats designed by student organizations, chapters of the Alumni Association, and unofficial alumni groups. Whether you are eager to “pomp” a float or just want to take in the spectacle from the sidelines, the parade is a great way to feel the spirit of Penn State Homecoming. The Parade will be held on Friday, October 17 at 6pm. Register here before September 26 at 5 pm and get ready to show the community how you’ve been ‘Inspired By Tradition’!

If pomping doesn’t strike your fancy (or even if it does!), consider showing how you’re inspired at the Alumni Tailgate Competition. As any Penn Stater knows, we take tailgating seriously in Happy Valley. In 2005, Sports Illustrated’s Tailgate Nation named Penn State the “Ultimate Tailgating Venue.” If you know your tailgates have helped Penn State earn this rating, register here for a shot at being one of 10 tailgate competitors on Homecoming game day. Tailgates will be judged in “Best Spirit,” “Best Food” and “Best Decoration” categories.

Stay tuned for more pre-Homecoming coverage as the school year starts. We’re less than two months away from one of the best celebrations at Penn State!

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Did you know that Penn State boasts the largest alumni network in the country, capping at over 460,000 living graduates? As a Penn Stater, you’re a member of the biggest collegiate family in the US, and Homecoming is a great time to celebrate your pride with hundreds of thousands of your family members! The Alumni Relations (AR) Committee is working hard to ensure that graduates have a great weekend. “We want [alumni] to be just as excited about Homecoming as they were when they were first year students,” Alumni Relations Overall Samantha Kulp said. Along with the Alumni Association, the AR Committee is working to make two past Homecoming favorites even better this year: the Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social and the Alumni Tailgate Contest.

What could be better than eating free Creamery ice cream with the Nittany Lion and Penn State cheerleaders? Come out to the Hintz Family Alumni Center for the Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social on October 17 from 1:30 to 4:30 to meet past and present students, try your luck at winning prizes, and indulge in the famous PSU tradition of eating from The Creamery. After all, eating Peachy Paterno ice cream was ranked #50 on Sports Illustrated’s list of 100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate, so come out and check that off your list!

Any proud alums that know their tailgates are something to brag about should consider entering the Alumni Tailgate Competition! Held on Saturday, October 18 before the Homecoming game, tailgates will be judged and prizes will be rewarded! Participants can register on the Homecoming Website starting Monday, August 18th.

Alums, what’s your favorite part about Homecoming? Let us know and we’ll be sure to feature it on the blog in the fall!

Save the date:

Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social- Friday, October 17 1:30-4:30 pm

Alumni Tailgate Competition- Saturday, October 18 before the Homecoming game

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Marching through the streets of State College you see them.
Walkie talkies in hand.

They are the officials.
They are the enforcers.
They are…
The 2008 Homecoming Security Committee.

Stopping the cities of State College and University Park is no small task. Working with the Police Departments, the State College Borough, CATA and various University officials, the Security committee must work hard to ensure that Homecoming 2008 runs smoothly by rising above the tough standards required by all parties involved. Permits and approvals, signatures and stamps - everything must be authorized, confirmed, and approved before any float rolls down College Avenue.

They are there to protect not only students, but also faculty, returning alumni, families, and members of the State College community. Almost 400 committee members will be in attendance on parade day for the protection of these parties. They are also in full force for all of the Homecoming sponsored events to ensure a safe week for everyone.

This year Security was also in charge of the Captain Olympics in the spring, and will be planning new captain events in the fall. These events allow the 100+ Homecoming Captains a chance to relax and unwind during the weeks before Homecoming.

If you are interested in being one of the protectors, the elite, the red shirts - stay tuned for updates about when you can sign up!

Kyle Thomas - Homecoming 2008 Security Overall Chair

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Did you know that Homecoming is more than just a weekend event? While the Parade and football game culminate the Homecoming experience, there is so much more to see!

Throughout Homecoming Week, Penn Staters young and old are treated to a variety of events put on by the Special Events committee, including Airbands, Nittany Pursuit, Raise the Song Band Bash, and the Pep Rally. This year, Special Events has been working hard to make the events bigger and better, so come out and make sure you don’t miss some of the best events of Homecoming Week!

Airbands is one of the most popular and anticipated events each year, and this year it is going to be even better! During Airbands, student groups compete for points by choreographing and lip syncing to their favorite songs.  Special Events is cooking up some fun surprises and lots of laughs, so it is important to come early and get a good seat!

 

Nittany Pursuit (a campus-wide scavenger hunt) is another fun event. This year’s activities will be challenging and action-packed, so get excited!

The Band Bash is a competition between student bands. The winning band will get the amazing opportunity to perform on stage at THON 2009.

The Pep Rally closes Homecoming week’s festivities before the big game, and is sure to excite people of all ages! The cheerleaders, Blue Band, and sports teams will be there to pump everyone up for Saturday’s game against Michigan! At the conclusion of the Pep Rally, we will crown the 2008 Homecoming King and Queen!

Special Events has been working really hard to ensure that you will enjoy all that Homecoming week has to over. So come early, be loud, and get excited for the best Homecoming week you’ve ever had!

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