Homecoming committee hosts fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings
Preparation for Homecoming Week is almost a year-round effort – but one of the first signs students will see of homecoming this year is fundraising, said Emily Rasch, Homecoming Committee chair.
The committee will be holding a fundraiser Wednesday at Buffalo Wild Wings starting at 11 a.m. to raise money for next year”s fireworks display. Ten percent of the cost of meals purchased at the restaurant that day will go to the homecoming fund upon presentation of a ticket, at no extra cost to the customer.
Rasch said the committee will be handing out tickets outside the establishment and students can get a ticket online or present it on their phone.
“We were able to put together a fundraiser that can be successful without taxing the students,” said Trevor Kauer, Homecoming Committee co-chair.
Rasch said the committee needs to raise $7,500 for next year”s fireworks, plus an additional $1,000 for silver and gold colored fireworks.
Although the homecoming committee has already purchased the fireworks for this year”s celebration, the funds raised will go toward next year”s fireworks event.
Rasch said the committee has already contracted out the fireworks – including the silver-and-gold finale – to Washington-based company Entertainment Fireworks.
“Buffalo Wild Wings does fundraisers like this with a lot of organizations,” Kauer said.
Nina Rydalch | Argonaut
Trevor Kaur explains plans for Homecoming.
The fireworks show will take up the largest portion of the homecoming budget. The fireworks will be set off in the city Friday, Oct. 23 while students and alumni watch from the Kibbie Dome parking lot following Serpentine and the bonfire rally.
Serpentine will start at 8 p.m. and it will take less than half an hour for the Moscow Police Department to lead the marching band, homecoming committee and UI community through campus. Serpentine starts at the President”s House and goes through New Greek row, Old Greek row, past the residence halls and ends at the bonfire in the Kibbie Dome parking lot.
Rasch and Homecoming Adviser Tim Helmke will host the event on a 39-foot stage where past homecoming royalty will crown this year”s royalty. Rasch said they also hope to have UI President Chuck Staben, Athletic Director Rob Spear and Football Coach Paul Petrino speak at the event.
Helmke, who has been working with homecoming at UI since 1992, said he loves his work because it serves as a way for alumni to meet faculty.
“My favorite part,” he said, is “Is knowing we had a part in those reconnections.”
“The university”s homecoming firework show is the only remaining firework show in Moscow and one of few on the Palouse”, Kauer said. “The city has allowed it despite laws against fireworks because the show is a tradition older than the laws,” he said.
Rasch said the Moscow Fire Department stays on standby every year for the show.
Rasch said the homecoming committee will have a celebratory tailgate after the event where they will celebrate the work they put in all year.
“Homecoming is about bringing tradition back to campus,” Kauer said. “It”s something that current students and alumni can do together.”
Nishant Mohan can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NishantRMohan