Each year, Retriever Fever begins with a simple spark.
Around dusk, a crowd gathers on Erickson Field to light the annual bonfire – a towering spectacle signifying not just the start of UMBC’s Homecoming, but the energy of a collective college experience.
Still relatively young (UMBC celebrates its 45th year this fall), the university is in the process of building traditions like the bonfire. Add in a Homecoming weekend chock full of athletic events, picnics, performances and reminiscing, and it’s easy to see why students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends come together to celebrate UMBC.
“Our focus has been building an experience that students will think about when they are here – and that makes them want to come back as alumni,” said Jen Dress, assistant director of major events in the Office of Student Life. “Take the bonfire. Students initially had skepticism about it. But you look at pictures and see how students are real close at the beginning and then have to move back as the bonfire ramps up. They now see it’s a much bigger thing.”
This year’s Homecoming – UMBC’s 11th – brings back many such popular events from last year, including:
- Midnight Madness, Men’s Soccer Game, 5K Dawg Chase and other athletic events
- Community Picnic, Taste of UMBC, and other social events with great food
- Outstanding Alumni of the Year Awards
- Comedy Night, featuring Donald Glover of NBC’s “Community”
- Student Talent Show, Pep Rally and Bonfire
The weekend also includes several new events, including a Homecoming dance; an Art and Humanities Afternoon, featuring UMBC alumni filmmakers; celebrations of the Women’s Center’s 20th anniversary; and specialized reunions for student leaders, the Shriver Center and other groups.
And, in the spirit of building traditions, current students decided to add a community parade just before this year’s bonfire. Students can decorate parade floats, and spectators can join a musical march leading up to activities on Erickson Field. “We wanted to create an event that every member of this campus could be a part of,” said senior Divya Patel, student chair of Homecoming.
The full Homecoming calendar of events, along with online registration, opportunities to volunteer and more, can be found at www.umbc.edu/homecoming.