Homecoming is a time for new memories and new performers set in a season of traditions. This year is no exception.
Here are nine Homecoming traditions to put on the calendar:
1. Opening ceremonies and free BBQ
In place of Tuesday’s weekly devotionals and forums held at the Marriott Center, skits and performances will take the stage during homecoming week. The opening ceremonies on Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. will give a sneak peak of BYU’s premiere groups such as the Young Ambassadors, Synthesis, Cougarettes, Vocal Point and more. The BYU marching band will lead students to Brigham Square for a free pulled pork and hot-dog barbecue following the ceremonies.
2. Hike and Light the Y
Students and families of faculty are encouraged to take the climb on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to the 380-foot high whitewashed Y and cheer on as over 200 bulbs burst with light. President Kevin J. Worthen and his wife, Peggy, will also be walking alongside students as confirmed by Alumni Relations Editorial Chair, Charlene Winters. There will be free shuttles at the Hinckley Center to take students to the trail head at 6 p.m. The lighting of the Y will take place at 7:45 p.m.
3. True Blue Foam
Each year students come together at BYU’s Helaman Fields to take part in the blue foam event. Students slide down sheets of foam in a unique opportunity to cool down and ignite an inner cougar pride as part of the annual tradition. The foam event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 4-6 p.m.
4. BYU Spectacular
David Archuleta will be performing this year alongside BYU’s showcasing talent. BYU will honor Abraham O. Smoot, who gave his fortune and mortgaged everything he had to build BYU campus when it was still the starting BYU Academy. The performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 8-9.
5. Homecoming Dances
Students have a choice of three different dances for homecoming week. The Hollywood formal will be held in Provo at The Underground from 8:30-11:30 p.m and will cost between $25-30. The semi-formal dance themed Undercover Agent will be in American Fork at North Hampton House from 8-11 p.m and will cost between $15-20. There will be a casual black-light dance in the Wilkinson Student Center Ballroom from 8-11 p.m and will cost between $3-5. Each dance will take place on Friday, Oct.9.
6. Blue Pancake Breakfast
A filling tradition of free food that is available during Homecoming week includes school spirited pancakes. Students have many locations to choose from as breakfast will be served at the Maeser Building, Botany Pond, BYU track and other locations. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct.10.
7. Cougar Run
BYU hosts a 5K preliminary parade run at 9:45 Saturday morning. The cougar run is one of the longest standing Homecoming traditions at BYU, running for nearly a quarter of a century. Children are invited to join the race at 8:45 at the Robison Track and Field Complex where races of varying distances are prepared for children ranging from 1-12 years old.
8. BYU Parade
Students, friends and families can participate in the Homecoming parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. Candy is thrown and groups of cougar caliber march around campus streets.The Grand Marshal of this year’s parade will be a great-grandson of Abraham O. Smoot, Douglas L. Smoot.
9. Football Game
LaVell Edwards Stadium will roar to life when students rise and shout against East Carolina at the BYU Homecoming football game starting Saturday evening at 5:30.
Students wanting a full Homecoming schedule can visit homecoming.byu.edu.
