At the end of a tough week of midterms, University of Idaho students are looking to celebrate. With Homecoming Weekend upon Vandals everywhere, the Homecoming Committee has been hard at work planning the annual Serpentine and Bonfire Rally, both of which will begin at 8 p.m. Friday.
“The Serpentine starts up at the golf course, and it’s led by the band,” said Aaron Hensarling, co-chair of the Serpentine and Bonfire. “We go down through New Greek row, then down to Old Greek row, by the bookstore, then go down Sixth Street, and it pretty much just grows as we go. We pick up students on the way from their houses and dorms, and we end up at the bonfire by the Kibbie dome.”
The Serpentine, which has been a tradition for just about as long as Homecoming has, will end in the gravel parking lot outside of the Kibbie Dome, Hensarling said. Once there, Serpentine participants are invited to stay for the bonfire, which will include the announcement of Homecoming royalty, the burning of New Mexico State’s flag and speeches from Vandal Football Coach Paul Petrino, Athletic Director Rob Spear and President Chuck Staben.
“It’s pretty much a chance for you to be as rowdy and as Vandalized as you can,” said Skylar Penberthy, other co-chair for the Serpentine and Bonfire. “We follow the marching band all the way up to the Kibbie Dome singing the fight song and you’re with your friends having a good time.”
To cap off the night, the Homecoming Committee arranged a fireworks show sponsored by Latah Federal Credit Union, the University of Idaho 125th Anniversary Committee, Best Western and other small businesses.
“Birch and Barley let us do ‘Kegs for a Cause’ this year, where they donated a dollar per beer that was served for a night,” said Jessica Gillespie Homecoming Fundraising Chair.
The fireworks will be lit off from Guy Wicks field, which allows for easy viewing from the bonfire, Hensarling said.
He said he encourages all students to attend the event, which he described as a big outdoor pep rally. The fireworks generally last for about 15 minutes and Homecoming boasts the only fireworks show of the year in Moscow.
“The more people that come out, the bigger it is, and the more exciting it will be,” Hensarling said.
Karter Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]