The Traveler

Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Life & Style

Media Credit: Spencer Presley

Aside from painting banners, lacing up dancing shoes, cooking up special recipes and putting a hammer and nail to work, many students from several Greek organizations, Registered Student Organizations and residence halls are preparing for today's UA Homecoming events of "Sty-lize Your Lawn," "Hog Stampede Parade," and the pep rally and "Rowdy Fan" competition.

Many people will hit the lawns of campus, pavement of Dickson Street, and the Chi Omega Greek Theatre as the three events head UA Homecoming's schedule today.

Although the homecoming events last six days, committees and student organizations have put in months of work and preparation. Ashley Goldman, the Student Alumni Board Publicity Chair, said the Homecoming Committee has been working since the spring to plan the various events for this year's celebration, and organizations have put in many hours for preparations.

"There were several informational meetings early in the semester for the student organizations to get information about homecoming and begin preparing for the events," she said.

Campuswide, students are bringing out their lawnmowers, decorations and Razorback spirit to style their lawns for the "Sty-lize Your Lawn Competition." According to the online UA Homecoming handbook, judging will be based on "originality and creativity, decorations, craftsmanship, and the portrayal of the Homecoming 'Razorback Rodeo' theme." A panel of judges made up of faculty and staff will begin judging the lawn creations at noon today.

During the early evening, the "Hog Stampede Parade" will stomp its way down the 1.5-mile stretch of Dickson Street. At 7 p.m., spectators will line the street as vibrant floats created by student organizations make their way down the strip along with UA cheerleaders and the Razorback band.

All float design sketches for the parade were required by Sept. 21 and organizations could not begin constructing their floats until 5 p.m. Oct. 12.

Floats will begin arriving at the intersection of Highland and Lafayette Streets from 4 to 6 p.m. to organize for the march down Dickson Street.

Pre-parade judging of the floats will begin at 6 p.m. and will be similar to the "Sty-lize Your Lawn Competition" in that floats will be judged on creativity, originality, craftsmanship and the ability to incorporate the homecoming theme.

Kylie Smithson, a freshman and member of the float committee and Alpha Delta Pi, has been heavily involved in this year's Homecoming celebration. She has spent hours helping her sorority with the many competitions during the week, whether rooting for her fellow sisters at the "AKA Unity Step Show" Thursday or helping construct the organization's float for the parade.

"We have spent more than two weeks constructing our float," she said.

The parade will end at the Chi Omega Greek Theatre on Dickson Street just in time for the pep rally at 8 p.m.

Organized by the UA Booster Club, the pep rally will get fans fired up with the loud sounds of hog calls and the UA fight song with the Razorback cheerleaders, mascots and the Razorback band. The eve of Homecoming will also feature the "Rowdy Fan" contest.

"It's exciting to see how many people get involved in Homecoming as well as the excitement all over the state about Homecoming week," Goldman said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools