Homecoming Dance & Game Activities

The homecoming queen may be announced during the game's half-time or at the dance.

Although homecoming festivities are commonly planned and executed by school cheerleaders and the pep club, get other organizations and the student body involved with stoking school spirit in advance of the big game. A parade, spirit week activities, pep rally and homecoming dance may be organized in celebration of the players and the student body.

Spirit Week

Get the students motivated about the homecoming game by organizing a week of activities ending with a Friday pep rally to encourage a victory. Devise a theme each day for students to show school spirit. On Monday, for example, encourage students to style their hair in a crazy way while Tuesday brings the opportunity to dress as your favorite football star. Continue with innovative ideas leading up to Friday's school-color-themed apparel and the pep rally. The pep rally may include games in which the freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors compete against one another. Consider hosting a Mr. Homecoming pageant during the pep rally with voting by rounds of applause. Just prior to the game, lead fans and the student body to the football stadium with a homecoming parade consisting of the marching band, school spirit floats and members of the homecoming court sitting atop convertible cars. Events such as contests and live music to pump up the students can be held during lunch periods. Sponsor a school-spirit sign contest, instructing contestants to artistically design signs to be hung in the halls during spirit week as well as to adorn the walls of the football stadium.

Half-Time at the Game

The half-time celebration is often where the homecoming queen is crowned and may be coordinated with the marching band and band-front directors. Many times, the band, color guard and majorettes perform a thematic presentation before the homecoming court is presented. Consider a firework display just after the homecoming queen is announced, if the budget allows and the game is in the evening.

Homecoming Dance Themes and Decorations

In some high schools, the homecoming dance is similar to prom where a theme for the event is chosen, except students dress in a semi-formal attire. Choose a theme that coincides with the homecoming game opponent and raises school spirit or an idea that promotes an unforgettable memory. An example of a homecoming theme may be "Sink the Sharks" and the dance hall is decorated with fish, sharks and hanging crepe paper as seaweed. The floor may be covered with metallic blue paper to appear as the sea.

Homecoming Dance Festivities

The homecoming dance is where the homecoming queen, her court and their escorts share a royal dance with the student body. The dance may be formal or casual, but often includes a band or disc jockey. Usually, the homecoming court remains dressed in the formal apparel worn during the crowning of the homecoming queen at halftime.

References

• Prom Night: Homecoming Activities
• Ohio Association of Cheerleading Coaches: Homecoming
• University of Akron: Homecoming 2010