Tonight is a night of tradition. It will signal the start of Homecoming weekend and involve serpentine, bonfire, Homecoming court, Most Vandalized Fan competition and fireworks.
The serpentine will begin at University of Idaho President M. Duane Nellis’ house at 8 p.m. and wind its way down new and old Greek row picking up students along the way. It will then travel up Sixth Street by the Living Learning Community, the Theophilus Tower and Wallace Residence Center until the group reaches the Kibbie Dome parking lot. The marching band will play throughout the event.
Jill Schweissing, senior, has participated in the event for three years as a part of the band.
“I think it is a great thing that unifies the school,” Schweissing said. “All the students can get together and march to the Dome. It has a lot of tradition.”
Once everyone arrives at the Kibbie Dome, the bonfire will begin. Football coach Robb Akey will speak, as well as Athletic Director Rob Spear who will also have the La. Tech flag. As a tradition, Spear will ask for a volunteer to burn the flag in the bonfire.
Nellis and the football captains may also give speeches after the flag burning.
Also, at the bonfire will be the Most Vandalized Fan competition. One member from each Homecoming team will be dressed, painted and covered in Vandal spirit to represent what each team thinks is the most “Vandalized fan.” The crowd will then act as a team of judges and whoever receives the loudest applause and cheers will win the title.
The bonfire will also be the location of the Homecoming royalty crowning. Voting, which ended Wednesday, determined the king and queen, as well as first and second runners up. The six winners will comprise the Homecoming court.
Shortly after the crowning, competition and speeches, the fireworks will begin.
“We want them to be as big, as fun and as special as we possibly can,” said Kelly Grove, co-chair of the Homecoming Committee.
The fireworks are the only element of the Homecoming festivities that required fundraising. The Alumni Association provides funding based on a budget for everything else, including posters and the parade.
Funds for the fireworks came from five different outlets. The living groups, which are comprised of fraternities, sororities and on-campus housing, donated a total of $1,500. ASUI donated $1,000. Several campus offices donated a total of $1,500. The Alumni Association donated an additional $1,000 and the remaining $3,500 needed to fund the fireworks show came from fundraising at different local events and tailgating, said Tim Helmke, associate director of Alumni Relations.