Monday marks the start of USC’s homecoming week, leading up to Saturday's matchup against Furman University.
This year’s theme, “Under the Carolina Big Top,” was chosen this past spring during the homecoming Executive Board’s retreat.
"Every year, we try to pick a theme that we can incorporate into the week of events to make them as excited and entertaining as possible,” Brewe said. “The circus is the epitome of excitement and fun, which is why we think it fits perfectly with the week we have planed for the students.”
New events like Field Day, Trivia Night and Carolina’s No. 1 Fan will combine with annual events this year to give competitors more opportunities for points throughout the week.
In the past, only student organizations were able to participate in the homecoming points competition. But, there is the new addition of a residence hall division, and at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, residence halls will be judged on their lobby decorations as a part of the competition.
“I’m excited to see how the events engage the students and build on USC’s traditions of community and spirit,” said Alexis Brewe, homecoming commissioner and third-year psychology student.
For the past few weeks, students have submitted videos to the homecoming Facebook page for Carolina’s No. 1 Fan. Over the next week, students can vote on the Facebook page, and the winner will be announced at the game Saturday.
Homecoming events last weekend with Service Saturday and Field Day dodgeball and powderpuff tournaments. And on Sunday, students created banners to hang in around campus.
To go along with the "Under the Carolina Big Top" theme, competing organizations were paired with local businesses for Paint the Town, in which students decorated store windows with all things circus-related.
On Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Greene Street, students can get free food, promotional items and some entertainment at the Kick-Off event.
At 6:30 p.m. Monday, student organizations will battle for homecoming points in the Stroll Off at the Russell House Patio. And afterwards, students can flex their knowledge and compete to win at Trivia Night.
At 8 p.m. Tuesday, teams will take to the stage on Greene Street for Spurs and Struts to dance for points to get them closer to the cup.
There are no activities scheduled for Wednesday, but on Thursday, there is Cocky’s Creations, a canned food drive competition where student organizations build creations out of the cans they’ve collected for Harvest Hope and Gamecock Pantry.
At 7 p.m Thursday, homecoming court will be crowned at Colonial Life Area.
The annual homecoming parade will begin Friday at 3 p.m., going past the Horseshoe and Russell House, where judges will rate the floats.
The Step Show take over Colonial Life Arena at 8 p.m. Friday, and students and staff can get free tickets with a CarolinaCard from the Russell House information desk.
On Saturday, the SAPE and Student Government-sponsored tailgate in Gamecock Village will start at 10 a.m. before the Gamecocks take on the Paladins at 12 p.m.