Homecoming is a yearly tradition in high schools where students and faculty members welcome back alumni to celebrate with events like football games, pep rallies, parades, and a dance. It’s a fun way for everyone to reconnect and show school spirit.

One of the main highlights is the homecoming dance, where students get dressed up, hang out with friends, and enjoy music and dancing.

In this article, we’ll explain what homecoming is, where it all started, and all the fun activities that happen during homecoming week.

The Origins of Homecoming

Homecoming originally began as a way for colleges and universities to bring alumni back for a special event. The tradition kicked off in the early 1900s with a focus on intercollegiate football games. Schools would host a big football game, paired with a parade and reunion parties to celebrate and reconnect with former students.

While there are many colleges that claim to be the first to start the homecoming tradition, the TV show Jeopardy! noted that the University of Missouri was the first, celebrating homecoming in 1911.

During this event, the college encouraged alumni to return for a big football game, helping to establish the homecoming tradition we know today.

Other colleges also claim to have had homecoming events before the University of Missouri’s 1911 celebration. Baylor University in Waco, Texas, held its first homecoming in November 1909, featuring a parade, reunion parties, and a football game.

The University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, hosted a weeklong homecoming event in 1910, which ended with an intercollegiate football game.

Today, homecoming is more than just a football game and reunion parties. It’s a week-long celebration filled with various activities like parades, pep rallies, themed dances, and community events.

It’s an opportunity for new and current students to make lasting memories, participate in exciting events, and show their school spirit. For new students, it’s a chance to meet new people and see what makes their school unique.

For students who are already part of the school, it’s a chance to enjoy familiar traditions and celebrate with their peers.

What Happens During Homecoming Week

As mentioned above, there are a lot of fun activities that take place during the homecoming week. Here are some of the most popular traditions:

Homecoming Court

Homecoming court is a special tradition where students are nominated and voted for roles like Homecoming King, Queen, and their court. These students are usually nominated from the senior class and are crowned in celebration of school spirit.

Pep Rallies

Pep rallies include things like skits, games, and introductions of the homecoming court. Sometimes, there’s a bonfire to build excitement for the game, though this tradition has become less common due to safety issues.

Dress-up Days/Spirit Week

Many schools organize themed dress-up days where students and staff wear costumes or specific outfits related to the theme. Themes can be inspired by student’s favorite movies or tie into an activity such as a slumber party.

Homecoming Dance

A formal or semi-formal dance where students and alumni wear homecoming dresses (like these dresses) and gather for a night of fun, music, and celebration. It’s similar to prom, but it’s held in the fall and usually has a more relaxed atmosphere. Homecoming dresses are often less formal than prom dresses.

Football Games

Football games are the highlight of homecoming week. This is when the school’s football team plays a big game, often with special halftime shows and performances.

Homecoming Parade

A homecoming parade is a colorful event with floats, bands, and groups marching through the streets, celebrating the school and its community. This is a highly anticipated event, with students waiting year-round to see the parade.

Tailgate Parties

Before the football game, students, alumni, and fans often gather in the parking lot for tailgate parties. These gatherings feature food, drinks, and games, creating a lively and communal atmosphere before the game begins.

Alumni Band

Many schools invite former band members to perform during homecoming. The alumni band plays alongside current band members during halftime.

Picnics

Picnics are similar to tailgate parties but typically take place either after school or during the lunch period. They offer a relaxed atmosphere where students and alumni can gather and enjoy a meal together.

Get Ready to Celebrate Homecoming

Homecoming is one of the most exciting times of the year for students and alumni alike. It’s a chance for students and alumni to make new memories and friends. There are lots of activities that happen during the homecoming week.

Some of the biggest highlights of homecoming include football games, Spirit Week, a homecoming dance, and tailgate parties. The homecoming dance is a chance for students to dress up, often in less formal attire compared to prom, and enjoy a night of dancing and socializing with friends and significant others.

If you’re new to the school, homecoming is the perfect opportunity to meet new people and start building connections!