Happy Summer to our Happy Valley Alums! Homecoming Directors, Captains and Committee Members alike have been working around the clock to make a happy Homecoming Week for our alumni, students, faculty and community, and we are so excited to share some things you have to look forward to when you return to Dear Old State. The theme of Homecoming this year, “Guide State Forward,” was revealed at THON and the logo, designed by Penn State Graphic Design student, Frank Kleinsorge, was revealed at the annual spring Blue & White football game.
Following the logo reveal, Homecoming hosted its annual Legacy Celebration, where they celebrated the logo and tradition of Penn State with games, pomping, cake and various performances throughout the day.
Two days later, Troy Alesi, a State College Area High School teacher, was announced as the Honorary Grand Marshal for Penn State Homecoming 2018 with a classroom crash. As Honorary Grand Marshal, he will work with the Grand Marshal to lead the Homecoming Parade, attend Homecoming events and have the opportunity to meet members of the Penn State community — past, present and future. Penn State Homecoming is excited to reveal the Grand Marshal, an esteemed member of the Penn State community, who has been chosen and will be revealed at the beginning of the fall 2018 school year.
As many of you know, there’s more to Homecoming than the parade. There are many events you have to look forward to leading up to that weekend. Right now, Homecoming is looking for alumni representatives from any campus for the Alumni Court, who will attend a court reception and have a feature in the parade, where they will be recognized for their accolades and accomplishments.
Similar to 2017, this year’s Homecoming Week will kick off with another concert in collaboration with SPA on Sunday, October 7. The concert will be free and open to all students with a valid Penn State id+ card. The performer will be announced closer to the date. Everyone’s favorite events will return to University Park this fall, but we are excited to reveal that Allen Street Jam will take the place of Pollock Party. Allen Street Jam will be a block party celebration with various food trucks, live performances and games outside along Allen Street. The event will take place on Allen Street between College Ave. and Beaver Ave. from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include a dance competition among Penn State dance groups.
The Ice Cream Social will be held all day on Friday, October 12, preceding the parade. Members of the community will gather at the Hintz Family Alumni Center for games, prizes and, of course, free Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream and a topping bar. This will be a chance for the community to interact with alumni leading up to parade.
If you think your tailgate during Homecoming weekend is going to be the best of the best, the Tailgate Competition is open and ready to register. On Saturday, October 13, during the hours leading up to the game against Michigan State, members of Penn State Homecoming will assess each participant’s tailgate for the different categories: Best Food, Most Creative, Most Spirited, Best Student Organization, Nittany Newcomer and Best Overall. The winner is revealed prior to the game and will receive prizes, banners and bragging rights.
During halftime at the game, the Homecoming Executive Committee will be introduced, the courts will be presented and the two best students who embody Penn State’s core values and this year’s Homecoming theme will be chosen to receive the first ever Guide State Forward Award.
You can nominate and register for all events mentioned on the Penn State Homecoming website, homecoming.psu.edu. We hope that you are as excited for these upcoming events as We Are. Enjoy the rest of your summer, mark your calendars and start packing to come home to Happy Valley.
For updates, check out our new blog on our newly designed website. You can also follow along with us on social media, Penn State Homecoming on Facebook and @psuhomecoming on Instagram and Twitter!