It’s nearly time for Homecoming 2024. This year’s Homecoming will take place Oct. 5 through Oct. 12. There will be a plethora of enjoyable activities and events for students to participate in.
During Homecoming 2024, everyone has their favorite event they lay claim to and attend dutifully. Here is a list of the top five can’t-miss events for Homecoming 2024 this year: the Day of Fun, the football game and tailgate, the hip-hop concert, Org Bazaar, and the parade.
#1 Day of Fun on Tuesday, Oct. 8
The university hosts a range of food vendors, moon bounces, bull riding, zip line, and many other activities on this day. Students unwind and spend a few hours doing nothing but having FUN on this particular day. Madison Disalvio, a sophomore health and physical education major, reflects on her previous homecoming experience and expressed her excitement for this year.
“The food was good. I really liked the painting hats. We were able to paint our hats for free. Bungee jumping was fun as well. It’s something you have to be there for, everyone coming together, the atmosphere was like nothing else. It’s one of the highlights of my year. I’m looking forward to homecoming. I love the fun here at VSU,” Disalvio said.
#2 Football Game/Tailgate Saturday Oct. 12
To end the homecoming week off with a bang and more excitement, there is a football game against Bowie State and a tailgate. This is a time where alumni and current students come together and cheer on the football team. The stands are full of VSU Trojans, friends and family to celebrate the week. There will be DJ’s, performances by the D9 organizations between alumni and current students.
It’s a good time to see the prophytes back stomping the yard. During the tailgate there are plenty of food options. Family and friends bring home cooked goods and food vendors attend as well. The football games are always filled with so much excitement with the Woo Woos in attendance, Code Blue and the fun chant’s.
Ti’Asia Lindsey, a senior hyper major, shares her favorite aspect of the football game and tailgate.
“My favorite part about the homecoming tailgate is the amount of alumni that are there to participate. I love the talks and just seeing how many alumni Virginia State has… I’m pretty sure plenty of other undergraduate students are motivated to keep going and succeed in any path of life we take. I love how they offer us food and make it feel as if we are a big family. Homecoming here on the hill is very family-like. I love it,” Lindsey said.
#3 – Org Bazaar Wednesday, Oct. 9
Perhaps one of the most anticipated events is the coveted Org Bazaar. Boasting over 70 different organizations last year, the event’s variety is its main selling point. Where else can you ride a bull, watch a stroll off, and throw a pie in the same hour?
With booths lining the Ave, Trojans can expect to find everything and anything but boredom. This variety also exposes attendees to new student groups. Well-known organizations such as TAB show students how to get involved with campus life and pioneer their own events.
Meanwhile, smaller, more indie groups like Si Se Puede enchant and introduce students to their club’s culture. Trojan Makayla Reese, a senior biology major and captain of the DB8 Society, is more than excited for the event.
“We are expecting the team and visitors [of the booth] to gain a sense of self and freedom to be able to speak [their] mind through whichever way [they] express it. See, our organization loves to exude confidence, and we would like others to be able to use that confidence that God has bestowed upon their lives since birth,” Reese said.
She sees the bazaar as an ample opportunity to welcome students onto the team.
#4 – The Parade Saturday, Oct. 12
The Hill won’t be the only thing unleashed this year, as the full parade route has been reinstated. Last year, the parade shortened its route due to a temporary shutdown of the Appomattox River Canal Bridge. This year, however, the parade will return, trumpets blazing in full glory.
Guaranteed participants include VSU’s own Woo Woos, the Trojan Explosion, and President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. The parade’s marshals have yet to be announced, but they are bound to be a pleasant surprise. At 9 AM on Oct. 12, the 2024 Homecoming Parade will commence, starting at Croaker’s Spot and ending at the MPC.
#5 – Hip-Hop Con. Wednesday, Oct. 9
Needing no further introduction, the homecoming concert is a year-round topic of discussion. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, rappers Glorilla and Bossman DLow will grace the stage of the MPC. Students have been buzzing around campus for weeks following the drop of the concert lineup this fall. Songs like “Tomorrow” by Glorilla and “Get In With Me” by Bossman DLow are likely to ignite the homecoming energy even more.
For more information on the 2024 homecoming visit www.vsu.edu/homecoming.php
