Students celebrate Homecoming Week at Northern Michigan University

MARQUETTE — It’s Homecoming Week at Northern Michigan University, and just like every year at this time, the campus is buzzing with activity. All of that activity is leading up to the celebration this weekend.

The festivities kicked off on Sunday with the annual Dead River Games at Dead River Beach. Then on Monday students competed in a Sidewalk Chalk Competition, coloring the ground of the Academic Mall. On Friday evening, the annual Homecoming Parade will take place, beginning on Fair Avenue.

“This year’s theme is Bon Voyage,” said Tamara Hunter, advisor for the NMU Special Events Committee. “So each group chose different travel themes. I know that we have an Area 51, Hawaii, Jurassic Park, and the North Pole. So we have some pretty exciting themes you’ll see going up and down Third Street.”

Besides being a favorite annual tradition of students and faculty at NMU, Homecoming Week is an opportunity for students to take a break from hitting the books and come together for a fun time.

“For us, Homecoming is a great way to celebrate being a Wildcat and get everyone together,” said Hunter. “You start to get in a drag after the first month of school, so it’s nice to get everyone together and make everyone feel welcome and have that sense of Wildcat pride.”

Homecoming Week activities will continue through Saturday. The NMU football team will face Davenport, and the afternoon will include a tailgating party, a marching band, and more.