This coming week is UC Riverside’s most exciting week of the year, Homecoming Week! With an event going on every day starting Tuesday, it’s time to whip out your UCR gear, face paint, and school spirit. This being my second year at UCR, I know a bit about what’s going to be happening each day. Along with giving you a break down of each event, you will receive my personal opinion on what you should wear to them all, because of course you will be taking a million pictures to preserve the memories. Believe me, you don’t want to end up like my friend from the dorm hall last year and wear your (expensive) new Uggs to Heat or even worse, show up to the big game sans any Highlander pride. Lastly, all the events in this article are 100% FREE to UCR students.
Scotty’s Birthday Party
Happening Tuesday at 12 pm near the Belltower, Scotty’s Birthday is a fun event to stop by in between classes or while you’re grabbing lunch. There will be cake (of course), games, photo booths, henna tattoos, spirit giveaways, caricatures and more!! And if you are interested in attending Thursday’s event, you’ll need to stop by Scotty’s celebration to grab your ticket. As for what to wear, since it is going on in the middle of a school day, I suggest wearing your usual outfit, but make sure to sport a short sleeve top or shorts for optimal henna space of course!!
The Warm Up Barn Show
If you’re like me, it’s a Wednesday night, nothing is on television and you’re a broke college student. Put on your cutest outfit and head on over to UCR’s Barn for a free concert. Just this last week I attended an event there for the first time, and foolishly realized that the Barn is actually a barn! The concert starts at 8 pm and the performers are yet to be announced, but at a price of absolutely nothing….what have you got to lose?? I recommend some dark skinny jeans, your favorite crop top (I had to include the Santa Cruz crop top, it is where I’m originally from!) and a cross-body bag in a bold color to bring out some fun to your outfit, as well as relieve you from having to hold onto your purse all night.
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Midnight Movie Premiere
For this event, you will need to make a quick stop at Scotty’s Birthday party to pick up your free ticket for the movie premiere. Be sure to get to Scotty’s party early because tickets are limited and people are ruthless when it comes to trying to cut in line. The premiere is Thursday, March 1st at 11:59 PM at the UV Theaters. The film being premiered is Dr.Seuss’ The Lorax. Zac Efron is the voice of the main character, Ted, who lives in an artificial town. My ultimate girl crush Taylor Swift is the voice of Audrey, Ted’s love interest, who’s biggest wish is to see a real tree. The film is based on Dr.Seuss’ classic, The Lorax, which according to my very reliable source Wikipedia, the book “chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler.” As for what to wear, it will be late at night so be sure to wear something warm. I would go for a bright coat that can easily conceal the bags of candy hidden in your pockets or a large tote bag. What better opportunity to actually use those Forever 21 reusable bags we always get tricked into buying at the checkout line??
Bonfire
One of my top memories from my freshmen year was running around like, well….a freshmen at the UCR Bonfire with my then roommate, now close friend and housemate, Jessica. This year’s Bonfire is happening on Friday night, from 7-11 PM next to the softball field. Other than featuring the biggest bonfire ever, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but that’s what I’m known for!! There will also be a mechanical bull, dancing, a vortex tunnel, laser tag, tons of free goodies, and fireworks towards the end of the night. The bonfire will feature our Homecoming game rival’s mascot burning like a Salem Witch. Alongside all this, there will be appearances by Scotty, the Highlander Girls, the Cheer Team, and music by UCR DJs. This is one of the two events I suggest you wear your UCR gear to. It can get cold and you’ll be doing a lot, so stay comfortable and spirited! My two biggest tips are bring a large backpack/purse and bring a camera to capture all of those moments.
P.S. Did I forget to mention the first 200 students get FREE In N Out?! Be there, or go hungry…..
Tailgate
Now, for the event I’ve been waiting for all year. UCR’s very own tailgate, happening March 3rd from 3-5 at the AI Horseshoe. If you love carnival games, photo booths, and UCR spirit freebies, this is the place for you. Tickets can be bought for 1 dollar each(don’t quote me on that though). For every win, your ticket will be signed, which you can then trade in for prizes. Not trying to overly brag for the tailgate event, but I won a UCR sweater, shorts and water bottle all for under 20 dollars. To do this you have to find the game you rock at, I suggest you visit the Plinko booth, because it is honestly the simplest game! Since tailgate and the homecoming basketball game are happening right after another, you have one of two options. You could take your Bonfire outfit to a whole new level, or take the less than exciting route(no judgement) and just pull pieces from your everyday wardrobe that showcase our school colors.
Homecoming Basketball Game
The men’s basketball team is playing UC Irvine once again at this year’s homecoming. The game will start immediately after tailgate at 5 PM. If you have yet to attend a basketball game, this is the one to go to. The turnout is huge so try to arrive early and don’t forget to go all out with your school pride for this event!!
Heat
And now for the event everyone is divided on, some love the lineup, some cant stop voicing about how much they hate it. Say what you want, it’s not changing, so don’t be a party pooper and if you haven’t picked up your ticket, GO! Heat is on March 3rd, beginning at 7 PM. The artists performing include The Airborne Toxic Event, Mac Miller, Major Lazer, Chiddy Bang, Iration, Karmin, Fei Fei, and Secret Panda Society. While I didn’t attend last year, I keep hearing the same advice from all my friends that did, wear closed shoes! Apparently it can get pretty crowded, so ladies leave your flats at home. Now, I don’t want to sound like a crazy person, but I had a dream. A dream in which I was wearing a black, 3/4 sleeve, sequined top with gray skinny jeans and my fake Toms. And in this dream, my sequin blouse was sparkling under the lights of Heat Music Festival. I hope I haven’t lost you, but if you share this dream, then you need to run over to Forever 21 immediately. They have tons of sequined covered shirts in all styles in that section I never even bother looking at because my social life is about as alive as the ends of my damaged hair. I seriously think this is the perfect outfit, it makes you stand out, looks cute, and is comfortable at the same time!! What more could a girl ask for?? Since the overall outfit is a bit monochromatic, whip out the brightest cross body bag you have to add some personality and save you the trouble of constantly holding your purse all night.