“Carnival and Gold” is the 2023 Homecoming theme. The event begins Sunday, Oct. 29, and concludes with a tailgate and football game against Big 12 Conference opponent Kansas on Saturday, Nov. 4. Start time is pending.
Adam Wolfe, student co-director and third-year construction engineering major, said Homecoming is about engaging as wide a range of people as possible to celebrate what makes Iowa State a great place.
“Students have been working on this since November, and we’re really looking forward to having as many people as possible be a part of the return,” Wolf said. “Go out and enjoy your week.”
Below are some suggestions for faculty and staff to participate in the celebration. Events are free and open to the Ames community unless otherwise noted. The complete repatriation schedule can be found online.
sunday carnival
Stay up to date
For the latest information on weather-related changes for outdoor events, follow @isuhomecoming on social media.
The kickoff event is Sunday, October 29th (noon-2pm, Lot A-4 outside the Alumni Center). Enjoy stage performances and exhibits by student clubs and groups, free popcorn and cotton candy, a petting zoo and his ISU scale model carillon. Food is available for purchase from 3 food trucks.
Meals on campus (FOC)
Homecoming Week lunches will be served Monday through Thursday at Central Campus (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while supplies last). The faculty and staff line will be open daily from noon to 1 p.m. For a chance to win a prize before the Friday night pep rally, leave your business card out every time you attend (you must be present to win). Friday meals will be served at the Alumni Center during the pep rally.
You need the go home button to eat. The buttons are $5 and can be purchased at the ISU Book Store or the Lunch Tent. This year’s caterers are:
- Monday: Jimmy John’s
- Tuesday: Grilled hot dogs
- Wednesday: Hickory Park
- Thursday: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- Friday night: Pizza lunch
A hellish yell skit
The Student Spirit Contest, featuring original cheer skits and lots of body paint, kicks off on Monday, Oct. 30 (4 p.m., Central Campus). Fifteen teams will compete in the first round (excluding Paint), which will be narrowed down to eight teams in the second elimination round, which will be held on Wednesday, November 1st (6 p.m.), also at Central Campus. Finally, the three Yell Like Hell finalists will perform at a pep rally on Friday.
honors and awards
The 92nd annual Honors and Awards Ceremony, in which the ISU Alumni Association, Memorial Union, and the University recognize the achievements of 40 alumni and friends of the University, will be held on Friday, November 3 (1:30 p.m., in Stevens Auditorium, with a dessert reception. (Continued) . It is open to the public and will also be livestreamed.
scholarship bag
Faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to participate in a bag tournament on Friday (3:30-5:30 p.m., outside the Alumni Center). Entry fee is $20 per team (cash or check, payable at the door). Proceeds will benefit the Cardinal Court Scholarship Fund. This scholarship recognizes two Iowa State University seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher who have demonstrated high character and dedication to the university and the city of Ames. Register your team online.
Celebration and pep rally
Friday’s Homecoming Happy Hour (4:30-5:30 p.m., Alumni Center) features drink specials and light snacks. From 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., all ISU faculty and staff are invited to his second-floor Lehman Ballroom to receive complimentary drinks, tickets, and prizes using business cards collected during his week at F.O.C. A lottery will be held. After the drawing, the ISU Alumni Association member faculty and staff member in attendance will receive a limited edition winter beanie.
A pep rally will begin outside the Alumni Center at 6 p.m., with pizza served to everyone who hits the go-home button and hosted by Alumni Association President and CEO Jeff Johnson. It will feature the Cyclone Marching Band, the finals of Yell Like Hell, and the Cardinal Court presentation. Toia Younger, senior vice president for student affairs, will sum up the university’s Jack Trice Memorial Year.
Inside the Alumni Center, there will be giveaways, children’s activities, a cash bar and merchandise sales from the ISU Book Store.
street excitement
This homecoming spirit competition, held in the Greek area south of campus, is back on Friday nights (8-10 p.m.) at the request of alumni who were unable to enjoy the Thursday slot last year. 41 Greek organizations will present 4 lawn displays and skits in 15 teams, which will be repeated at intervals throughout the evening. Another of his 11 “glamorous” 2D displays can be seen in his 200 block of Ash Avenue. Neighborhood sandwich boards direct visitors to her four exhibit/skit lawns. Enjoy free food and carnival games at the Greek Triangle, where Sunset Drive meets Pearson Avenue.