University of Minnesota students and community members celebrated homecoming this week with various activities, including the annual homecoming parade, a comedy show by Marcello Hernández and other events held throughout the week.
Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to attend events hosted by the University’s Student Unions and Activities (SUA).
On Monday, Oct. 21, Homecoming week kicked off with Pastry Palooza in the morning, located on Northrop Plaza, Washington Avenue Bridgehead on West Bank and Terrace in St. Paul. The event featured yard games, free donuts from The Test Kitchen and pastries provided by Cinnabon, Cardigan Donuts, Glam Doll Donuts and Cookie Cart. Attendees also received a free 2024 Homecoming scarf and reusable hand warmers.
Monday evening was the Eco-Conscious Crafts event at Coffman Union. In partnership with Ski-U-Crew, Feminist Student Activist Collective, Golden Magazine, Forestry Club and SUA Building Art, the event had an environmental focus as well as a crafting workshop on indigenous plants.
As the week progressed, more events were held specifically for students, including a blood drive and bingo night on Wednesday and Homecoming Concert by rock band Slow Pulp, and Minnesota-based band Keep For Cheap on Tuesday.
Homecoming weekend started on Friday, with the annual parade presented by Affinity Plus.
The parade kicked off with Grand Marshal Annie Griffiths and featured floats for student and alumni organizations and the greater campus community.
Anya Nelsestuen, a student who attended the parade, said she felt like homecoming was good for campus but did not know a lot about the events.
“I think doing stuff like this is cool because it showcases a lot of different things students are involved in,” Nelsestuen said. “It just gives us something after midterms for our community to do.”
After the parade, students could attend a comedy show featuring “Saturday Night Live” cast member Marcello Hernández. The show featured fellow SNL cast member Emil Wakim and comedians Matt Richards and Alexis Carabãno.
Kyra Shah, a student who attended the show, said she wanted to attend the show after seeing clips of Hernández on TikTok.
Shah is a part of University Greek life in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and said participating in Greek life’s homecoming traditions like pomping and a lip sync battle with other chapters on Thursday were her favorite parts of the week.
“It’s kind of cool to see how the student body comes together,” Shah said. “And to get to see the Greek Life aspect of it and the parade.”
Capping off the week was the Gopher football game against the University of Maryland and a Ski-U-Mania pre-game event at the McNamara Alumni Center, hosted by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
First-year student Jordan Willeck and University of Minnesota-Duluth student Amelia Fischer both attended the football game. Fischer said her favorite part of homecoming was the parade and seeing frat row decorated.
Willeck said Homecoming is a chance to celebrate going to college.
“It’s just celebrating being a Gopher,” Willeck said. “It is bringing everyone together regardless of who you are or where you’re from.”