Throughout the week, Homecoming 2021 has taken place in many different shapes and forms all over Manhattan.
Starting back in 1916, homecoming is a huge success every year, with events including Pant the Chant, Wildcat Request Live and the Children’s Carnival. The week closes with the homecoming parade featuring floats from different organizations on and off-campus.
This year, homecoming is anticipated to be bigger and better since events were limited this past year because of COVID-19.
Riley Seuser, marketing and events coordinator for the Aggieville Business Association, has seen homecoming unfold the past few weeks around Manhattan.
“We have been really focusing on bringing in the students and homecoming spirit this week,” Seuser said. “Obviously, last year we didn’t have a parade and there weren’t any events. So this year, we’re expecting a great turnout for the parade and hoping that everyone will be really excited, especially the kids because they will have their Halloween costumes on.”
As events started at the beginning of the week, students began showing excitement for the resurgence of homecoming.
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Hannah Knight, senior in microbiology, and Madison Ramsey, senior in accounting, are the head co-chairs for homecoming this year for their sorority Zeta Tau Alpha. They started preparing in mid-September, working alongside their homecoming partners and having a lot of fun watching everything unfold.
“One of the biggest takeaways from homecoming and being in this position of being able to delegate is getting everything done on time,” Knight said. “Learning how to communicate and making sure everything gets done accurately is definitely starting to show, and you can see how it has all paid off.”
With many different events to prepare for, students worked diligently to finish them before the start of the week, bringing together alumni and families around Manhattan.
“I think it’s great that the community gets to see the final product and all of the finishing touches on everything,” Knight said, “but as students, we have a great sense of pride because we got to see everything from start to finish.”
With most events going back to the way they were before the pandemic, students and the community are excited and avidly participating in everything.
“I think it’s going to be such a fun time for everybody,” Seuser said. “With everything that went on last year, I think people are really looking forward to this weekend and having a lot of things back to normal.”
With homecoming celebrating its 106th year, the traditions still live on — in and around Manhattan — for all families, students and faculty.
“Seeing stuff on campus and in Aggieville — even if you may not be participating — you still see some form or shape of homecoming during homecoming week, and the excitement is still there,” Ramsey said. “Knowing homecoming is going on, I really think it brings K-State together.”
Homecoming week concludes with Trick or Treat in Aggieville from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, the homecoming parade at 5 p.m., a pep rally starting at 6:30 p.m. and finally with the homecoming football game vs. TCU on Saturday.
