The University of Idaho Homecoming Committee has planned the 112th edition of the celebration since February. Despite the challenges COVID-19 has presented to one of UI’s longest running traditions, a transition to virtual events has allowed some festivities to continue.
The difference between this year’s Homecoming and the 111 which preceded it cannot be understated, though, 2020 Homecoming Chair Elizabeth Marshall said.When the Homecoming Committee first met, the members weren’t sure what the future held. They did not expect UI to transition to remote instruction and, at the time, they weren’t sure how long the COVID-19 pandemic would last.
“It has really been a joy, and we’ve had some incredible students working on our committee that have made it so fun,” Marshall said. “But definitely a lot more difficult this year than in years past to plan, just because we’ve had to be extremely flexible and make changes.”
The committee met online to plan and adjust as more information about the situation they’d be working with surfaced.
Serpentine, a rowdy parade which snakes down Old and New Greek Row on its way to the Kibbie Dome, and the annual bonfire were both canceled. However, the committee decided to still host the usual food drive, blood drive and firework extravaganza.
The Homecoming Committee encourages people to watch the show from their homes or the dorms, whether that’s over the livestream or from their windows. There will also be standing space to watch the fireworks in person if people wear masks and stay socially distanced.
“There’s a couple advantages to having more online events this year than we have in years past,” Marshall said, “(Homecoming) doesn’t hinge solely on our traditional, in-person events…and we’ve really been trying to get the word out to different student groups and teams, as well as faculty, staff and alumni, but primarily students.”
Students can attend a Virtual Student Trivia Night sponsored by La Casa Lopez. Alumni can join a similar event sponsored by the Corner Club.
Homecoming attendees can also join in on the Vandal Virtual 5K Fun Run, where participants can log into an app to track their walking, swimming and running for prizes. Marshall has seen other organizations and institutions use similar fun runs to connect people and let them show off team spirit during the pandemic.
Unlike in previous years, UI and the Homecoming Committee are not encouraging alumni from outside of the Moscow community to travel back to town for Homecoming in order to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 in Moscow. Those not in Moscow can participate in the virtual events instead.
“We want to keep this community safe right now,” Marshall said. “And with the rapid spikes, we haven’t been encouraging any alumni or parents that live outside the Moscow area to come to our events.”
Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce.