Homecoming festivities to look for this weekend

Homecoming week started off hot last Tuesday, Oct. 4, with the celebratory “Lighting of the M.” Students and residents were able to see the bright, LED lights from all over Bozeman, but the festivities didn’t end there.

On Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m., the Hedges will host another annual lighting ceremony in which “Go Cats” will be spelled out in the windows of the North and South buildings. Yard games, music and free food can be enjoyed in the grass field outside the buildings.

Recently MSU has moved away from a Homecoming “King” and “Queen.” Instead, the student body votes for three Homecoming Ambassadors. “We did that because it is gender neutral and more meaningful and connected to the mission of the university," said student engagement advisor Chris Pruden. Each ambassador will be chosen based on how well they embody one of three Bobcat qualities of involvement, leadership or service. “These are three characteristics that we try to foster in the human population,” Pruden said.

This Homecoming weekend there are two exciting events taking place in downtown Bozeman on Main Street. The Homecoming Pep Rally will be held Friday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. The Spirit of the West Marching Band, and the MSU athletics teams will be present. Come show your Bobcat Pride! Plus, on Saturday the annual homecoming parade will be hosted downtown.

Over 40 floats have registered for the parade and will cruise down Main Street starting at 10 a.m.

The Office of Student Engagement puts a lot of effort into making Homecoming week an exciting time for alumni and students alike. “We want the Homecoming events to represent a defining of home for the students,” Pruden said.

Make sure to show your school spirit! You can vote for the 2022 homecoming ambassadors at https://www.montana.edu/homecoming/.