By Jack Wilder Distribution Manager
Hood kicked off its 26th annual homecoming weekend on Friday, Oct. 5. Started in 1992, this Hood tradition has always been filled with fun and festivities to celebrate the fall, but only recently were alumni and family invited back to experience the festivities with current students. Gretchen Nonemaker, Hood’s director of Student Engagement and Orientation, discussed what had been planned for the event. Friday, Oct. 5, kicked off homecoming with an opportunity for visitors to attend either a Spanish, French, Psychology, or World Literature class with current students. Afterward, the residence halls competed in front porch and vehicle decorating contests, followed by a campus-wide parade to the Chapel. The student and family talent show in Hodson Auditorium featured many exciting performances. To end Friday, Alumnae Hall helped to sponsor a latenight carnival with amazing funnel cakes, cotton candy, and classic games. The weekend’s main events occurred on Saturday with 17 different activities for students, alumni, family and friends. The Blue and Grey 5K Run had a great turnout and allowed many members of the Hood community to run side by side. I particularly enjoyed the delicious pretzels and hearty sausages at the Oktoberfest themed brunch. Students were seen on the residential quad participating in activities such as rolling inside of life-sized hamster balls, kicking soccer balls, and taking lots of pictures. Oct. 6 concluded with a performance by mentalist Chris Jones, who gained internet fame for a Walmart promo, where customers doing their holiday shopping were hypnotized to think they were children opening gifts on Christmas day. Homecoming sports games included men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s field hockey among other games and matches that Hood Blazers participated in. Hood’s alumni athletes were invited to a reserved room at local bar, Blue Side Tavern on Oct. 6. Homecoming Weekend ended on Sunday, Oct. 7. Students, family, alumni, and faculty can all find something to enjoy during homecoming celebrations.
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