Gone are the parades down Main Street and flower-covered floats and homecoming queens. In their place are three days of events that offer something for everybody, from parents on their first visit to HSU to alumni returning decades after graduation.
“Homecoming is a great opportunity for people to be a part of the community. Not just the campus, but also to see what Eureka and Arcata are about. Most parents come here during orientation so they also miss out on the chance to see some HSU football and to see what our academics are like,” said Meghan Ciuffetelli, coordinator for Student Life.
Friday kicks off Family Weekend & Homecoming with a pair of campus tours and a historic walk through Arcata. Faculty members will open their classroom doors allowing parents to get a first-hand view of HSU’s scholastics. A ribbon cutting for the new $44 million Kinesiology and Athletics Building takes place at 3:30 p.m.
An eclectic mix of activities is spread throughout Saturday with the Farmer’s Market and Pastels on the Plaza, starting at 8 a.m. in downtown Arcata. The weekly market is the largest in Humboldt County and, in addition to featuring Celtic-stylings of the band Good Company, is pairing with Northcoast Children’s Services to bring pastel-based art to 29 squares of sidewalk surrounding the plaza.
After checking out Arcata’s best locally grown produce, be sure to head back to the quad when HSU’s Family Weekend barbecue gets going at 4 p.m.
Kick off against Azusa Pacific is set for 6 p.m. in the Redwood Bowl. The Cougars come into Saturday’s game with one win and three losses, matching HSU’s record. When the two teams last met in 2007’s homecoming game, the Cougars walked away with a 27-17 win. With a new head coach and a lineup with many new faces, HSU is looking for a victory and a little momentum following tough back-to-back losses.
Arts! Alive and more
Music and the arts take center stage later in the day as neighboring Eureka hosts October’s Arts! Alive. More than 70 galleries and businesses along Eureka’s historic old town and waterfront will open their doors for strolling art lovers, while refreshments and live music round out the evening. This event runs 6 to 9 p.m.
The weekend wraps up with Sunday brunch in the J and a face-to-face ListerServ discussion in the Klamath Room of the Jolly Giant Commons from 10 a.m. till noon.
For more information, including registration, visit the Homecoming & Family Weekend page or dial Student Life at 707-826-3504