STUDENTS dressed as Wonder Woman and Batman came to the rescue at the SAB-sponsored Homecoming Fall Festival last Wednesday. Photo: Megan Bannister
Towering over Helmick Commons, a large, inflatable Spike signified the beginning of Drake’s Homecoming. Clad in bright, red capes, the Bulldog parade statues were ready for action, dressed for this year’s theme, Bulldogs to the Rescue. Campus was decked out and ready for the week.
The Student Activities Board (SAB) worked diligently to provide an exciting week of entertainment and school spirit.
Tisleen Singh (J4), vice president of student activities, said there was a strong effort to get more attendance to homecoming events this year. In 2007, Singh served as homecoming committee chair with this year’s Homecoming king Tyler Boggess (J4). Singh said collective student apathy translated to low student turnout at homecoming events that year.
“We’ve really been hitting the ground running the past three years, trying to do different and bigger things with Homecoming,” Singh said. “We hope that Homecoming becomes a bigger deal on our campus as time goes on.”
A collaborative effort between SAB’s committees helped the organization use all of its resources to maximize the week. Homecoming, public relations, entertainment, campus programming and bands committees all contributed to the week of events.
STUDENTS sumo wrestled and participated in other activities at the Fall Festival. Photo: MEGAN BANNISTER
Homecoming began Oct. 3 in conjunction with Parents’ Weekend. It started with Sodexo superheroes serving a “Blast Off” lunch in Parents Hall. Families could also spend valuable time together with a different type of hero – world-saving robots and Shia LaBeouf – in “Transformers 2,” which SAB showed in Bulldog Theater.
Sunday was full of traditions, including window painting and powder puff football. Student organizations painted the Meredith windows with bright illustrations of superhero themes. The images provided the perfect backdrop for the epic battles of powder puff football. Social and professional organizations were brought together at the events.
Annual activities are a favorite of students, but so are new forms of entertainment. For example, “Justin Kredible,” comedic magician, was a hit with the audience Tuesday. Kredible has appeared on “Rachel Ray,” “Suite Life on Deck” and “Room 401.”
“We really are trying to put efforts to improve the support by getting new events and having different people get involved,” Singh said on incorporating different activities into the agenda.
The mid-week Fall Festival drew students to taste cotton candy, play games and receive prizes. The most popular were inflatable sumo wrestling suits, mechanical bull riding and a blow-up obstacle course.
“It’s nice and it’s just something fun to do,” Elyse Kurtz (J2) said. “The mechanical bull is probably the main reason why we came.”
Singh said that the festival is one of the most difficult events to promote, due to the extensive supplies and organization it requires.
“I went to the stuff before Relays (last year) and it’s a lot of the same stuff,” Robby Patterson (J4) said. “I think the obstacle course is a favorite.”
Classic carnival games and a spin art booth lined the sidewalk. Students played games for tickets that they could exchange for prizes, including gift baskets. SAB also offered free gifts, including glow-in-the-dark cups and notepads embossed with the Homecoming logo.
“I think it’s wonderful, and I love all the free stuff,” Lauren Phillips (AS1) said, emerging from the complimentary photo booth.
Even vendors working the event seemed to have a good time.
“I enjoy that everybody’s in a good mood,” photo booth operator Joe Henscheid said.
SAB promoted the festival by incorporating the Homecoming logo on photo print outs, blasting popular music and offering free food.
Student enthusiasm grew throughout the week, building up to Friday’s Eric Hutchinson concert. The show followed the traditional “Yell Like Hell.” The cheer competition was once a major pep rally held in Drake Stadium. However, it was moved to Pomerantz stage as student participation declined.
“The participation and excitement for it has fallen over the years,” Singh said.
However, promotional flyers and music in the Breezeway encouraged student attendance at “Yell Like Hell.”
“We really are trying to put efforts to improve the support by getting new events and having different people get involved,” Singh said.
SAB came to the rescue this year with a week of “super” events.
