Homecoming and Family Weekend at St. Olaf is a traditional celebration of our elders, whether returning alumni, the parents of current students. As the first major event of the year, the weekend is filled with a diverse array of events for current students too, some of which, like the Homecoming Dodgeball Tournament, Affirmation Day and the sale of Homecoming T-Shirts, have already passed. However, the majority of Homecoming happenings are still to come:
Friday, Oct. 4
Dance Department “First Glimpse”: At 4 p.m., get a preview of dances choreographed by St. Olaf students in Dittmann Center, Studio 1.
King of the Hill: Gather in the Pause Mane Stage at 7:30 p.m. for King of the Hill. Half talent show, half beauty pageant, this event features eight Ole men competing for the title of Mr. St. Olaf by displaying their fashion skills and personal talents. The winner is determined by a panel of judges made up of well-known St. Olaf administrators and this year it is rumored that a special guest will crown the victor.
Scared Scriptless Performance: After King of the Hill, St. Olaf’s own Scared Scriptless will take the stage with uproarious, improvised comedy with a “heroic” twist in honor of this year’s Homecoming theme, “Super Ole.” The troupe will perform at 9:30 p.m.
Ghosts of St. Olaf College: At 8 p.m., gather on the steps of the Speech-Theater Building, where Greg Kneser, vice president of student life, will lead a tour of St. Olaf’s haunted places and tell the stories of our school’s apparitions. A much-loved event, the tour will end behind Thorson Hall at 9 p.m. with a bonfire, hot chocolate and s’mores. In case of rain, the event will take place in the Black and Gold Ballrooms.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Homecoming Festival: Saturday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., meander over to the Quad, where musician Nelly’s Echo, who appeared on the popular television show “The Voice,” will perform along with several campus bands. Bon Appetit will cater lunch and many student organizations will be tabling for parents and alumni.
Flaten Art Barn Open House: Head towards the wind turbine where the doors of the newly rebuilt and renovated Flaten Art Barn will be open from 3-5 p.m. A presentation at 3:30 p.m. will detail the building’s iconic architecture and the new “green” elements that have been added since the renovation.
St. Olaf Band Concert: The St. Olaf Band performs in the Skoglund Center Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and not ticketed.
Homecoming Dance: DJ Drip Drop presides at this Superhero-themed dance in the Pause Mane Stage from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6
Family Weekend Concert: The Manitou Singers, Norsemen Band, Philharmonia and Viking Chorus each take the stage in the Skoglund Center Auditorium at 3:30 p.m. This concert is also free and no tickets are necessary.
