Grace LaTourelle-
Homecoming is once again descending upon Gustavus in a cloud of black and gold. Events will begin Monday, Oct. 7th, 2024, and will continue until Saturday night. This year’s theme will be “Giddy up Gusties,” with a decisive emphasis on dressing up with the theme.
“Get out a cowboy hat, get out some boots, dance to some Cotton-Eyed Joe…it’s just a fun time even if you’re not a country fan…have a little fun, try a different part of yourself,” Marketing CAB Co-Executive and Sophomore Katelyn Benschoter said.
The week will kick off with Window Painting in the Caf for Student Orgs. There will be judging by faculty members and the winning org will receive a 500 dollar prize. Tuesday, the tradition of Stuff-a-Gus, where you are able to make your own stuffed animal as well as mascot Gus, is returning, with the location and time to be announced on social media. Thursday is the dodgeball tournament. Groups of students can form a team or student orgs can sign up together as a team. The winner of the tournament may also be able to play against a team of Gustavus faculty.
“It’s very accessible, all week…all sorts of activities…it’s really easy to attend and get involved with,” Late Nights and Weekends CAB Co-Executive, Sophomore Linnea Noeldner said.
Friday and Saturday will have the most variety of events. Friday will kick off with a concert featuring a Latin-fusion band that was featured at Latinx night the past school year. There will also be a Rodeo night with a mechanical bull, BBQ food truck, and yard games. Finishing off Friday night will be the tradition of Insomnia cookies in Old Main.
“It’s more of the traditions we keep near and dear to our heart…There are certain things that are just a given. And being able to showcase that…that they’ve kinda kept this tradition going,” Traditions CAB Co-Executive and Junior Lupe Olague said.
Saturday morning will begin with a free pancake breakfast in The Caf. Following, there will be CAB-sponsored giveaways, handing out bandanas, pompoms, tattoos, cowboy hats, and other black and gold-themed items. Later that night will be the glow-in-the-dark rave, which is making a resurgence after being canceled due to weather the previous year. There will also be a digital photobooth present.
“For the football game, for the rave, we want people to showcase themselves,” Olague said.
Posters will be hung around campus detailing the times and locations of the various events. Homecoming t-shirts, designed by Arts and Entertainment CAB Co-Executive and Sophomore Rebecca Craig, will be for sale the entire week. They are selling for 5 dollars for students and 10 dollars for the general public.
Gusties are encouraged to dress up and showcase the Western style in line with the “Giddy Up Gusties” theme.
“It’s easy to get in touch with, with all of the media of country-themed things…they’re already in touch with it like with Pink Pony Club or Austin…” Noeldner explained. “Who doesn’t love a cowboy?”
Olague also noted the nostalgic quality of dressing up for homecoming, as high school students often had dress-up day opportunities throughout the week leading up to homecoming. The theme of Giddy up Gusties also connects with the First-year class, who are most recently transitioning from those high school atmospheres.
“We want to make homecoming super special for freshmen especially…so we want to connect it with the square dance that freshmen participate in which is a huge tradition at Gustavus…” Craig said.
With the plethora of events and opportunities with homecoming, CAB executives noted the accessibility of being able to attend and why Gustavus students should consider attending.
“It’s a great way to really see what Gustavus is all about…it really brings everybody out of the woodwork to come together,” Benschoter said. “And they’re just fun events…It’s the time in the semester where everyone’s getting busy, classes are ramping up, so this is really just a time to take a break before our classes really get real…”
Homecoming also attracts the community and families of St. Peter as well as alumni.
“Homecoming is really for the students but also for the alumni that come back…it’s just a way to celebrate all of our…five values that we have here at Gustavus. It’s for everybody, for all ages…” Olague said.
The presence of alumni as well as current and new Gusties may foster a greater sense of school spirit and community, highlighting the core values as Olague mentioned.
“Homecoming is really when everybody comes out together to be proud Gusties,” Benschoter said.
Students are encouraged to attend events, dress up, have fun, and participate in homecoming in whatever way feels comfortable to them.
“It can welcome new students and make the campus feel more homey. And it can also provide a fun week for returning Gusties as they return to their second home.”