Homecoming Weekend

By Samantha Latos

On September 20, 2018

Pin It

The Homecoming student events and Family Celebration begins on Friday, September 28th. The Day of Service will take place all day until the Kickoff to Homecoming Cookout, from 4pm until 7:30pm. Weather permitting, the Cookout will be on the Alumni Green, or otherwise in the Hartman Union Building courtroom.

Clash of Classes will be held from 5-7pm on Mary Lyon Lawn. Starting at 7pm at Merrill Place is a double feature movie night, hosted by PACE. “Life of the Party” will play first, followed by “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” Popcorn, soda and snacks will be provided, and pizza will be available during the later showing.

The following Saturday is jam-packed with fun events. It will begin with a new series of events called Wake up to Wellness. It’s all scheduled to take place on the Alumni Green. If it rains, it will all be held in the HUB courtroom. Meditation will be held from 9-9:30am, yoga from 9-10am, TurboKICK from 10- 10:30am, ending with a fun run at 11-12:30pm. Each of these events will be led by a different instructor. The fun run is a non-competitive race. “It’s a recreational group run, around the center of campus,” Brian Dye, Director of the Student Activities, said, “It’s not going to be across any roads.”

Wake up to Wellness offers a sampling of the different Student Rec Programs exercise classes. “We’re bringing them outside the HUB because we know PSU students love to be outdoors,” Brian said.

The usual tailgating for the football game will be from 10am to 1pm at the Athletic Fields. Alumni and Greek Life tents will be set up there from 1pm to 3:30pm.

The game itself, Plymouth State vs. Worcester State, will begin at 1pm.

The annual cornhole tournament will be from 2-3pm. PACE is hosting an airbrush foam finger booth from noon until 2pm. Student organizations will have booths set up to interact with families and show what PSU has to offer.

Various delicious fall-themed meals will be served during the Harvest Festival and Cookout. It will be held before and during the game, from noon until 5pm. Students can use meal swipes, and parents and guests will have to purchase meal tickets. The menu includes BBQ smoker, paella, local farmer’s fresh produce, fall soups and chilis, desserts, and food trucks.

This year's Harvest Festival will feature Fever, a talented cover band. They are known for covering popular pop songs. The live music will offer a better atmosphere than pre-recorded music.

Inflatables, festival games, and a giant photo strips will add an element of fun. The inflatable games are likely the most unique activity of the weekend. “There’s a bowling game, where you're in a giant inflatable ball, and your teammates push you towards the bowling pins,” Brian said. Participants fully get inside the inflatable object, including hands and feet. These competitive games will surely be an interesting sight to see.

The giant photo booth will have props so people can dress up, and pose for the photographer in front of many large backdrops. The extra- large photo strips are designed with three photos and a logo at the bottom. They are going to be 22 x 6; big enough to frame.

"Traditions on campus make us come together as a community,” Brian said, “PACE and the departments collaborating on this events hope to gather and celebrate with one another and enjoy fall in New England.”

The first Game Night over Homecoming will take place around and inside the HUB that night, from 9:30 to 11:45. There’s going to be a whole lot of interactive games and activities for students.

The headlining entertainment, Dave Coulier’s stand-up comedy show featuring opener Kellen Erskine, begins at 8pm at the Hanaway Theatre inside the Silver Center. This means students will have the option to swing by the Game Night after the show.

The biggest attractions of Game Night are: two themed escape rooms, a 30-foot video game trailer with virtual reality, laser tag, and a comedy game show. One of the escape rooms will be the same magic-themed one from Fall Fling weekend, and the other will be “Game of Thrones” themed. If the weather is good, the escape rooms will be set up in front of the HUB. If it rains or if it’s too cold outside, they will be set up outside the courtroom. The laser tag will be held in the courtroom, and the virtual reality will be set up outside the HUB.

Professional hosts will run the stage at the game show. It is sure to be entertaining and interactive.

All of these activities are meant to welcome the students back by having some fun. Late night dining will be available in the HUB incase students get hungry from playing.

Homecoming Weekend has a lot more to offer than just the big football game. Don’t miss out on all the free food and entertainment. Note that pre-registration is required in order to participate in Day of Service. To register, visit https:// www.plymouth.edu/homecoming/. Dave Coulier’s comedy show tickets are free for PSU students. Navigate to the site and log in with your MyPlymouth information at https://www.plymouth.edu/silver-center/.

Keep in mind that there’s fun activities and interesting things to do spread across the whole weekend. Be sure to come out during the day to participate in some or multiple events and have some fun.