Penn State homecoming events are already under way and will continue until Saturday’s football game against Purdue at noon.
Here’s a primer on homecoming, and some of the activities taking place this week:
History
Penn Staters have been celebrating homecoming since 1920, when the game against Dartmouth drew 12,000 fans, according to homecoming organizers.
But as far back as the 1860s, alumni would toss footballs at Harvest Home and Pennsylvania Day. The Alumni Association has been around since 1870.
Parade
Each year, floats ranging from silly to spectacular make their way across campus and town for the event organizers bill as the largest student-run collegiate homecoming parade in the country. Bands, dancing acts and Penn State notables are also part of the event. Former Penn State football player Adam Taliaferro is this year’s grand marshal.
Floats also have Madhatters who are judged in their own competition. Marta Jonca, director of public relations, described a Madhatter this way: “It’s almost like a float, but it’s a costume. It’s a float that you wear.”
The parade of about 60 floats will start at 6 p.m. Friday, making its way across campus from the staging grounds near Beaver Stadium. It will follow Curtin Road to Bigler Road, then follow Pollock Road to Shortlidge Road, go along College Avenue and up Burrowes Road, where it ends.
Fans looking for good views can begin reserving spots at 9 a.m. Friday on grassy areas, but should keep sidewalks clear until 5 p.m.
The parade route will be closed to traffic from about 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. CATA will be redirecting bus routes from about 5:30 to 9 p.m.
For details on route changes, visit www.catabus.com and click on “Rider Alerts” or call 238-2282.
Going green
Homecoming will continue the float recycling it started last year with the Office of Physical Plant and the We Are campaign. Organizers and volunteers take apart the floats — wire, pomps and wood — for recycling.
Other events
•The HUB-Robeson Center will become a Penn State museum today for the Past to Present celebration. Free food, student performances and an inflatable football-themed obstacle course will be featured from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•From 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, fans and visitors can drop by the Old Main lawn for free food, games and activities during Carnival and Field Day.
•The student and alumni ice cream social will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hintz Alumni Center Friday, just ahead of the parade. A pep rally will follow the parade at about 9 p.m. Friday in Rec Hall
Tailgate competition
This relatively new homecoming event gives diehard Nittany Lions fans a chance to show off their shish kabobs or whatever else they’ve got cooking at their tailgates. Judges will award prizes for best food, most pride spirit, most creative and best overall tailgate.
Judging will take place Saturday morning.
Details on entering the contest are on the homecoming website: homecoming.psu.edu.
