Now that campus is all dressed in the jades and ambers, crimsons and golds of Autumn, it’s officially time to kick off the DU Homecoming and Family Weekend Festivities!
Of course, some of you may be thinking: What festivities? Do you mean hockey? And while the answer is, in part, yes, there’s so much more to Homecoming these days as the University’s many departments and organizations gear up to make this a tradition worth celebrating.
Read on to learn about some of the highlighted events and activities coming to a campus green near you as part of #DenverBoom Hoco2k18! (For a full schedule, head to the Homecoming website).
(“Pumpkin Wagon” by yuan2003, flickr)
Fall Fest, hosted by DU Programming Board
As your DUPB HerCampus rep, I am happy to cordially invite you to Fall Fest on behalf of the Board. For all you fall fiends and autumn adorers, this DUPB Tradition will fill your heart with the joy of the season! Join us on Driscoll Green from 4-7 p.m. on Friday for some fall favorites! Paint a pumpkin to decorate your residence, create a decadent caramel apple for a sweet evening treat, or compete for honor in our pie-eating contest!
Looking for something a bit more chill, to just hang out? We’ve got you covered with casual seating areas around fire pits that’ll keep you warm and cozy. Don’t forget to snap a picture in our photo booth to celebrate the memories – (there may even be a surprise if you do)!
Also, as we revive and revamp the tradition of our Homecoming Parade with a promenade of creatively crafted wagons representing the various student orgs that make up our community, we encourage you to come show your DU Spirit and cheer on the floats as they make their route! The procession starts during Fall Fest at 6 p.m. on Driscoll Green and will make its way around to the Ritchie Center where you’ll be set to stay and check out the volleyball game.
Crimson and Gold Bash, hosted by the Office of Cultural and Spiritual Life
Wrap up your Friday evening with the staple of any Homecoming week: a dance! Featuring a hip-hop DJ who’ll be playing #bopsonly all through the night, the dance will be a fun way to usher in the weekend events. Dress to the nines or just show up for a good time! The party starts Friday at 9 p.m. in the ballroom of Centennial Towers.
Hoktoberfest
Back by popular demand, DU brings you Hocktoberfest – the “hockey-tinged take on Oktoberfest”! Get you – and the fam, if they’re visiting – a ticket to feast on German food and partake in some friendly lawn-game competition! And, if you’re over 21, hit up the cash bar for some drinks – in the spirit of the event, of course. In any case, make sure you pick up your 2018 Homecoming souvenir cup and scarf to snuggle into. Get energized, get rowdy, and get ready for the hockey game immediately after!
(“Homecoming 2011” by University of Denver, flickr)
Athletics
Just as every pumpkin needs its spice, every Homecoming needs its athletics! Bundle up and bring on your boldest school spirit, because there’s a whole weekend lineup of games that you won’t want to miss!
- Is hockey the real reason you chose to come to DU? Are you down on the glass for every heart-pounding, face-smashing moment of game-time action? Well, you’re in luck this Homecoming weekend! You have not one, but two chances to watch DU’s beloved sport! Catch all the badassery of Women’s Club Ice Hockey versus CU Buffs on Friday, October 12th at 9:30 p.m. in the Joy Burns Arena, followed by the Men’s Varsity game versus Alabma – Huntsville the next day on Saturday, October 13th in Magness. Warm up those vocals because we’ll be singing the Fight Song a lot this weekend!
- If you’re more into a little bump ‘n’ spike, be sure to head over to the Women’s Volleyball game as they take on Fort Wayne in Hamilton Gymnasium on Friday night at 7. Already have week-end plans? Come out to Hamilton at 1 p.m. on Sunday to cheer on the team, again, as they go up against Western Illinois.
- For those of you who are looking for some footy, come out to the soccer field at noon on Sunday to support Women’s Soccer against North Dakota.
With a whole host of events going on this weekend, we hope you can make it out to at least a few! Bundle up, grab your friends and family, and have a Happy Homecoming, DU!