This past week, students participated in the 2024 UW-Eau Claire Homecoming events.
The week-long celebration began on Sunday, Oct. 6 with a pennant-hanging ceremony event in Davies Student Center. Groups got crafty creating pennants that represented their organization/group following their year’s theme of “Nothing Cheddar than Eau Claire.”
Monday launched the school week with the Homecoming Kickoff event outside of the Campus Mall Amphitheater. Free grilled cheese was provided and royalty campaigning began. The University Activities Commission also started a medallion scavenger hunt, releasing clues on their Instagram story until it was found.
Tuesday followed with events such as pumpkin painting, a homecoming hike and a screening of the film “Tortilla Soup” (2001). Varsity Night Live took place on Thursday with various singing, dancing and lip syncing acts.
Provolone Palooza was held Friday night and included fire pits, carnival games, homecoming royalty crowning, free food and more.
Festivals Committee chair Vicki Czap was a part of the planning for all of the homecoming events. Rebekah Conrad, Zach Cardille and Joann Martin also participated in the event planning.
“We wanted to get more people involved and get our organizations more outreach, I think that’s been something that’s been lacking in past years,” Czap said.
On Saturday, the Blugolds won the football game against UW-Stevens Point with a score of 41-0. Prior to the game was the annual homecoming parade and the Carson Park tailgate, which was sponsored by the Alumni Association and the UW-Eau Claire Foundation.
The following Sunday was the Adopt-a-Block neighborhood clean up of post homecoming events. Groups gathered at 1 p.m. at the Water Street lot to help clear up the city of litter left behind.
UW-Eau Claire began celebrating homecoming in 1924 and has continued throughout the years. Homecoming started when the university was named Eau Claire Normal School, with the name changing to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1971.
While many of the traditions have remained strong throughout the years, some homecoming events have faltered over time, such as the homecoming dance and bonfire.
The homecoming dance was a formal occasion that used to be very popular among the student body. In 1958, the music was provided by a ten-piece orchestra, and a comedy act took place during intermission.
One homecoming tradition that lasted from 1945 until 1969 was freshman students wearing beanies. Blue and gold beanies were a part of a two week long initiation that was even written in the student handbook.
If a freshman was caught not wearing their beanie during the required time period, they faced consequences such as having to appear before a student court, or having the upperclassmen shave all of their hair off.
Though the beanie tradition has since been abandoned, events such as the parade, football game and varsity show have been kept for decades.
Third-year student Alyssa Morell attended a few of the different events.
“I had a great time with friends. We tailgated and watched Eau Claire beat UW- Stevens Point which was so much fun. Overall, it was a great weekend.” Morell said.
Homecoming has remained an exciting time of the year for students who choose to participate in these events.
Jochum can be reached at [email protected].
