Homecoming Brings Week of Festivities to Campus

At a place that loves its traditions, Homecoming is a coveted week.

Georgia Tech’s Homecoming celebration is more than one day or one football game: It's 10 days of festivities that encompass some of the Institute's longest standing traditions and pastimes.

This year’s events began Wednesday, Oct. 14, and continue through the Homecoming football game against Florida State University on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. This year’s theme is “Buzzin’ Out of This World.”

Here’s a rundown of some of the events happening over the next several days. Learn more about these and others that are ongoing throughout the week at homecoming.gatech.edu or gtalumni.org/homecoming.  

Thursday, Oct. 15

• Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech Voting: All students are eligible to vote for Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech at www.elections.gatech.edu. The winners will be announced during half time at the Florida State football game. Voting closes Oct. 21 at 4 p.m.
• Chalking Contest: Students will express themselves via chalk to coincide with the Homecoming theme. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tech Walk.
• Homecoming Concert with B.O.B.: 7 p.m., Tech Green.

Friday, Oct. 16

• Window Display Contest: 3 to 5 p.m. Groups will paint windows of the Student Center.
• Homecoming Carnival: 5 to 7 p.m., Instructional Center Lawn. Stop by to see carnival booths created by campus organizations.
• Iron Buzz: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Campus Recreation Center pool. Students compete in an Ironman-style competition. This is the swimming portion.

Sunday, Oct. 18

• TEAM Buzz: Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends will participate in service projects around Atlanta.
• Iron Buzz: 10 a.m. to noon, Campus Recreation Center. Students will complete the competition with biking and running.
• Powderpuff Football and Cheerleading: 1 to 6 p.m., Tech Green.
• Grown and Jazzy: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Under the Couch. The African American Student Union hosts this event featuring music, poetry readings, and other performances.

Monday, Oct. 19

• Race to the Moon: 10 a.m. to noon, Tech Green. Teams will compete in a relay race.
• Defying Gravity: 1 p.m., Kessler Campanile. Teams will compete to see which group of five can arrange themselves on a platform, and stay put, without touching any part of it.
• Tech Trivia: 6 p.m., Peachtree Room, Student Center. Teams will compete to test their knowledge of Georgia Tech trivia.

Tuesday, Oct. 20

• Cosmic Cake Decorating: 2 to 4 p.m., Peachtree Room, Student Center. Students will decorate cakes that are out of this world.
• Homecoming Pageant: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Student Center Ballroom. Participants will show off spiritwear, “out of this world” costumes, and their talents. 

Wednesday, Oct. 21

• Canstruction: Students build freestanding structures from canned goods, which are donated at the end of the event. 9 a.m. to noon, Tech Green.
• Mock Rock: 7 p.m., Ferst Center for the Arts. Teams of students will perform choreographed routines related to the Homecoming theme.
• Powdered Donut Eating Contest: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Student Center Ballroom. Students will see who can eat 10 miniature powdered donuts without licking their lips.

Thursday, Oct. 22

• Alumni Letter Writing: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tech Walk. Students can stop by to write notes to Georgia Tech alumni who have given to Tech's annual fund, Roll Call, and thank them for their support of the Institute.
• Egg Toss: 11:30 a.m., Instructional Center Lawn. Students will try to get the most egg yolks in a cup in a designated amount of time.
• Keynote Speaker: 6 to 7 p.m., Room 236, Global Learning Center. Bo Godbold, a 1965 industrial engineering graduate, talks about his experience as vice chairman of Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Friday, Oct. 23

• Mini 500 Tricycle Race: 5 p.m., Peters Parking Deck. Teams of students race miniature tricycles on a course around Peters Parking Deck. 
• Pomp Displays: Fraternities and sororities will have their Homecoming themed pomp art on display at their houses leading up to the judging at noon. 
• President’s Update: 1 to 2 p.m., Room 236, Global Learning Center. President G.P. “Bud” Peterson gives an update on Georgia Tech’s goals and impact.
• Campus Walking and Bus Tour: 3 to 4:30 p.m., Global Learning Center Atrium. Georgia Tech Ambassadors and Capital Planning and Space Management will host a campus tour to highlight improvements and innovations on campus.

Saturday, Oct. 24

• Freshman Cake Race: 6:30 a.m., McCamish Pavilion. All freshmen are invited to take part in one of Tech’s oldest traditions. All participants get a free cupcake. 
• Ramblin’ Wreck Parade: 9 a.m., Fowler and 8th streets. Campus groups show off manmade contraptions and classic machines.
• Ramblin’ Wreck Rally Tailgate: 2.5 hours before kickoff, Tech Tower Lawn. The Alumni Association hosts a free tailgate prior to the Florida State football game. Barbecue plates can be purchased for $15.