Jaclyn Figg
Staff Writer
Homecoming traditions at Idaho State University date back to 1930. Although ISU keeps many of the older traditions in existence, there will be new ones accompanying them this fall.
For years, the Homecoming parade has followed the tradition of ending in the Holt Arena parking lot, but this year is going to be a little different.
The parade will still begin at the cross of First and Center Street. It will continue up Center to Fifteenth Avenue and take a right passing the Holt Arena. This year, the parade will take a left on to Martin Luther King Jr. Way and then disperse in the parking lot due east of Reed Gym.
“They changed the end location of the parade because there was a lot of congestion when the parade was actually ending in the Holt Arena. It coincided with the start of the tailgating,” said Heidi Oliver, scheduling and event program coordinator for the Pond Student Union.
Many people reserve spots at the Holt Arena for the tailgating party that is held before the Homecoming football game. A parade going through the tailgating has caused problems in the past due to the high volume of people for both events.
The new end point is a precautionary measure set in place for the safety of the children involved in the parade, as well as others needing picked up by their parents.
“We thought it would be a little safer to move it to the east side of Reed Gym,” said Oliver.
The new endpoint does not have anything to do with the construction of MLKJ Way.
The theme of Homecoming this year is “Let the Good Times Roar.” People that participate with a float are asked to adhere to the theme in support of ISU.
Anyone in the community can have a float in the parade. For the general public the entrance fee is $70 non-profit organizations are $35, student organizations, including all School District 25 schools or educational entities and ISU departments, enter at no cost.
The entry deadline is Oct. 2, 2015. Any submissions after this date will be charged a $50 late fee. Applications are not accepted after business hours on Oct. 9, 2015.
“Another thing to note about the parade this year is the line up entrance, which isn’t necessarily of concern to people watching the parade but for people participating in the parade it is a big concern,” said Oliver. The floats used to line up at Humboldt Street and enter via First Street but this year they will line up one block south on Sutter Street.
The Homecoming parade will take place Oct. 17. Line up starts at 7:30 a.m. and the parade will commence at 9:30 a.m. for the public.
Volunteers for the parade are always needed and greatly appreciated. If interested, contact Heidi Oliver at ude.usinull@diehvilo or 208-282-3513.
ISU clubs that are competing in the Homecoming parade will be judged with a predetermined score sheet to keep things fair.
“There are three secret judges that I have chosen that will be all throughout the crowd,” said Katie Johnson, programmer with the Student Activities Board.
True Bengal, a long time tradition at ISU, is when two Bengals kiss at the pillars atop Red Hill during a full moon or the Friday night of Homecoming at midnight. This year ISU is trying something a little different.
“We are adding fireworks to True Bengal that will go off at midnight that Friday night,” said Johnson. They will be launched out of Bartz Field, with safety precautions set in place.
Right before True Bengal there will be a late night breakfast and karaoke for students to enjoy before heading up the hill.
Another addition to Homecoming week this year is a foam party that will be at Reed Gym in the middle of the week. There will be a big foam pit in the middle of the gym, with a DJ, carnival snacks such as cotton candy and popcorn and inflatable beach balls.
“A lot of Homecoming before has been competition based, but this year we really wanted to open it up, so there are a lot of activities that students can just have fun at,” said Johnson.
This year, instead of the Homecoming competition just being open to clubs, it is open to any six students that want to get a team together. There are smaller events throughout the week such as the chips and dip competition, tug of war and the spirit log, which are all traditional ways teams can get points throughout the week.
There will be a social media contest offering prizes throughout Homecoming week, and students will post their picture online with #SABHC15.
“I’m excited to see how it goes; we have been planning since May,” said Johnson.
For a full list of the events Homecoming week, visit www.isu.edu/homecoming.
