A longtime and cherished tradition is returning to my alma mater!
UCLA has had homecoming festivities since the 1930’s, complete with parades, bonfires, rallies, and everything else that goes along with festive occasions like that.
I remember participating in the Homecoming parade down the streets of Westwood as both a student in the Bruin Marching Band and as an alumnus in the UCLA Alumni Band, which I’m currently a member of. It was fun, to say the least; I particpated in the rally with the Alumni Band in 2004, and when we got on that stage the screaming and cheering was so loud I felt like a Beatle at Shea Stadium.
Unfortunately, that was the last time festivities of that type were held, as a lack of interest grew and it was decided that the costs weren’t worth it to hold an official Homecoming party or festival – until now.
This Friday, October 28th, the Associated Students of UCLA will host a Homecoming Fair on the Intermural Field on the UCLA campus, complete with games, competitions, food, and philantrophy in the form of a canned food drive with the donations going to the UCLA Food Bank, which serves students who are low on money and can’t afford to go to the market or eat at a restaurant.
The fair will be highlighted by a rally, which will feature a former UCLA football player as MC, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and USAC leaders as speakers, as well as entertainment from the Bruin Marching Band (my old band!), the UCLA Dance Team, UCLA’s mascots, Joe and Josie Bruin, the NSU Modern Dance Team, and – always a favorite – the UCLA Acapella group, who are really good singers and are always fun to listen to and watch.
Hopefully this will pump up the UCLA commumity and Bruin Nation for the football game against California at the Rose Bowl the next day.
The fun will start at 7:00 p.m and continue until midnight.