This year’s homecoming events are to take place between Oct. 18 and Oct. 23. There are multiple events being held all across campus that students are welcome to participate in. All of the winners from the Homecoming competitions will be announced during halftime on Saturday’s football game. 

The festivities start on Monday with a game of #RowanTAG. This event will run from Monday to Thursday. Students are tasked to find and take pictures with the giant gold gift tags around campus and post their findings on Instagram. The tags raise awareness about the importance of donors to our school to aid the growth and success of our students. Students can upload their pictures with the hashtag #RowanTAG, and registered Homecoming teams can earn spirit points for doing so.

The Homecoming Banner Competition will also take place on Monday, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Bunce Green. Students will use their creativity to make a banner promoting Homecoming week and various other student organizations. The banners will be hung up in the Student Center, and judges will decide on a winner. 

The party continues into Tuesday with the Homecoming Push Cart Competition. This event, which takes place at 4 p.m. on Bunce Green, will have teams of four race around Bunce Circle. The team with the fastest average time will be the winner. Students must register their team through ProfLink in order to participate. 

Tuesday also brings another SUP movie night. This week’s movie is the original Space Jam, in honor of this year’s Homecoming theme – Back to the ’90s. There will be snacks, raffles and, of course, a viewing of the film.

On Wednesday, the Homecoming CANstruction Competition will transpire in the Rec Center basketball courts between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participants will use canned goods to build a structure representing this year’s homecoming theme. The judging begins at 2 p.m. and all of the canned goods will be donated to the on-campus food pantry, The SHOP, after the event. 

Later that night, the Homecoming Battleship Competition will take place in the Rec Center pool at 9 p.m. Thirty teams will battle in canoes in order to be the last ones floating. The registration fee per team is $10, and teams will be required to register at the Rec Center front desk. 

Thursday night is the Homecoming Lip Sync Competition, starting at 9 p.m. in the Pfleeger Concert Hall. Students are encouraged to dress up and compete with their friends against other students, and will even have a chance to win $1,000 in prizes. Participants must register in advance. 

The annual Harvest Festival will happen on Friday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Hollybush Green. Rowan After Hours is hosting this event, which will include dancing, live music, games and local cuisine from food trucks and vendors. Students can show their Rowan I.D. to get free food vouchers. 

And of course, Saturday is the Homecoming Tailgate and Football Game. The tailgate will occur in the Richard Wackar Stadium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will have food, games, inflatables and free Rowan swag at the Homecoming Spirit Tent. There will also be an all-you-can-eat buffet in the Alumni Tent and a Beer Garden for Rowan students who are 21 and older. Following the tailgate is the football game. Starting at 2 p.m., the Profs will go against William Paterson University Pioneers for the first Homecoming game in two years.

Saturday night will have a Homecoming Bingo Competition in the Student Center Pit at 9:30 P.M. Students and alumni are invited to participate for a chance to win some special Homecoming prizes. (Hint: wear Rowan merch to earn an extra bingo board). 

This year’s Homecoming will be one for the books. Students and alumni will be able to finally be back in person for all of these fun festivities. Make sure to check out all of these events and more happening this week around campus.

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