Homecoming Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school . It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities , college s and high school s in North America . It usually includes activities for students and alumni , such as sports and culture events and a parade through the streets of the city or town . United States . Homecoming is an annual tradition of the United States . People , towns , high schools and colleges come together , usually in late September or early October , to welcome back alumni and former residents . It is built around a central event , such as a banquet and , most often , a game of American football , or , on occasion , basketball , ice hockey or soccer . When celebrated by schools , the activities vary widely . However , they usually consist of a football game played on a school ' s home football field , activities for students and alumni , a parade featuring the school ' s marching band and sports teams , and the coronation of a Homecoming Queen ( and at many schools , a Homecoming King ) . A dance commonly follows the game . When attached to a football game , Homecoming traditionally occurs on the team ' s return from the longest road trip of the season . The game itself , whether it be football or another sport , will typically feature the home team playing a considerably weaker opponent . The game is supposed to be an " easy win " and thus weaker schools will sometimes play lower division schools . Origins . The tradition of Homecoming has its origins in alumni football games held at colleges and universities since the mid - 1800s . Many schools lay claim to having the first Homecoming , but several seem to have the strongest claims . Baylor University . Baylor University in Waco , Texas has a homecoming history that dates back to 1909 including what is considered to be the first collegiate homecoming including a parade , reunion parties and an afternoon football game ( the final game of the 1909 season ) , a tradition that continued and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009 . There was a gap between 1910 and 1915 when there was no homecoming event , however there has been continuity since 1915 . University of Illinois . The University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign first held a homecoming event in 1910 , celebrating the 100th anniversary in 2010 . The event was held annually except for the 1918 season . University of Missouri . The history of the University of Missouri Homecoming can be traced back to the 1911 Kansas vs . Missouri football game , when the Missouri Tigers first faced off against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first installment of the Border War , which is also the oldest Division 1 college football rivalry west of the Mississippi River . The intense rivalry originally took place at neutral sites , usually in Kansas City , Missouri , until a new conference regulation was announced that required intercollegiate football games to be played on collegiate campuses . To renew excitement in the rivalry , ensure adequate attendance at the new location , and celebrate the first meeting of the two teams on the Mizzou campus in Columbia , Missouri , Mizzou Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited all alumni to " come home " for the game in 1911 . Along with the football game , the celebration included a parade and spirit rally with bonfire . Nearly 10 , 000 fans Traditions . Homecoming Court . The Homecoming Court is a representative group of students that , in a coeducational institution , consists of a King and Queen , and possibly Prince ( s ) and Princess ( es ) . In a single - sex institution , the Homecoming Court will usually consist of only a King and a Prince ( for a male school ) or a Queen and a Princess ( for a female school ) , although some schools may choose to join with single - sex schools of the opposite sex to elect the Homecoming Court jointly . Generally , the King and Queen are students completing their final years of study at their school ( also called seniors ) , while the Prince and Princess are underclassmen , often with a Prince / Princess for each grade . Recently , some high schools have chosen to add categories , such as Duke and Duchess , to extend the representation of students to include a category in which students with special needs are elected . In high school , 17 - or 18 - year - old students in their final year are represented by a King or Queen ; in college , students who are completing their final year of study , usually between 21 and 23 years old . Classmates traditionally nominate students who have done a lot to contribute to their school , then students vote for members of the Court from the nominees . Once the Homecoming Court candidates are announced , the entire student body votes for the Queen and King . The voting is often conducted by secret ballot , but other methods may also be used by certain schools . Local rules determine when the Homecoming Queen and King are crowned . Sometimes , the big announcement comes at a pep rally , school assembly , or public ceremony one or more days before the football game . Other schools crown their royalty at the Homecoming football game , a dance or other school event . Often , the previous year ' s Queen and King are invited back to crown their successors . If they are absent for whatever reason , someone else — usually , another previous Queen or King , a popular teacher , or other designated person — will perform those duties . Usually , the Queen is crowned first , followed by the King . The crowning method also varies by school . Homecoming court members who are not crowned king or queen are often called escorts or royalty . They are often expected to participate in the week ' s activities as well . At some schools , a Homecoming Prince / Princess , Duke / Duchess , etc . ( often underclassmen nominated by their classmates ) are crowned along with the King and Queen ; sometimes , middle school and junior high students may partake in the high school activities . Parade . Many Homecoming celebrations include a parade . Students often select the grand marshal based on his / her service and support to the school and / or community . The parade includes the school ' s marching band and different school organizations floats created by the classes and organizations and most of the sports get a chance to be in the parade . Every class prepares a float which corresponds with the Homecoming theme or related theme of school spirit as assign by school administrators . In addition , the Homecoming Court takes part in the parade , often riding together in one or more convertibles as part of the parade . The parade is often part of a series of activities scheduled for that specific day , which can also include a pep rally , bonfire , snake dance , and other activities for students and alumni . That can include many more things that can stay still with the ' Homecoming ' start with the cases . Tailgate . At most major colleges and universities , the football game and preceding tailgate party are the most widely recognized and heavily attended events of the week . Alumni gather from all around the world to return to their Alma Mater and reconnect with one another and take part in the festivities . Students , alumni , businesses , and members of the community set up tents in parking lots , fields , and streets near the stadium to cook out , play games , socialize , binge drink , and even enjoy live music in many instances . These celebrations often last straight through the game for those who do not have tickets but still come to take part in the socializing and excitement of the homecoming atmosphere . Most tents even include television or radio feeds of the game for those without tickets . Picnic . Sometimes during the school week , a picnic could occur . The picnic is very similar to the tailgate party , but it occurs after school or during the school ' s lunch period . Dress - up days . Throughout the week , many schools ( particularly high schools ) engage in special dress - up days , sometimes called " Spirit Week " , where students are allowed to wear clothing suitable to the theme ( e . g . , 80s day , toga day , cowboy day , nerd day , pirate day , Rat Pack Day , flannel Friday , What - not - to - wear Wednesday ) leading to the homecoming . Students traditionally wear clothing with their school ' s name , or clothing and makeup of their school ' s colors on Friday . Rallies . Many schools hold a rally during homecoming week , often one or more nights before the game . The events vary , but may include skits , games , introduction of the homecoming court ( and coronation of the King and Queen if that is the school ' s tradition ) , and comments from the football players and / or coach about the upcoming game . At some schools , the Homecoming rally ends with a bonfire ( in which old wood structures , the rival school ' s memorabilia and other items are burned in a controlled fire . ) Many colleges and high schools no longer hold bonfires because of accidents that have occurred surrounding these events in the past . The most well known accident took place in 1999 , when 12 students were killed and 27 others were injured at Texas A & M University when a pile of logs that had been assembled for a bonfire collapsed . However , this incident was not associated with homecoming — A & M is one of the few schools that does not organize a homecoming , although it has many unique traditions . The bonfire was associated with the annual rivalry game between A & M and the University of Texas . Homecoming dance . The Homecoming Dance — usually the culminating event of the week ( for high schools ) — is a formal or informal event , either at the school or an off - campus location . The venue is decorated , and either a disc jockey or band is hired to play music . In many ways , it is a fall prom . Homecoming dances could be informal as well just like standard school dances . At high schools , the homecoming dances are sometimes held in the high school gymnasium or outside in a large field . Home coming dance atire is more casual then prom . Women generally wear knee length dresses with their hair down , and men generally where a tucked in dress shirt with pants . At prom , women generally wear a more formal gown that goes to the ground with hair up , and men wear tuxedos . Since most colleges are too large to facilitate a campus - wide dance , these events are usually handled instead by student organizations such as fraternities , sororities , and residential colleges . Because football and alumni events are the focal points of collegiate homecoming , dances often take place during a different week when schedules are more permitting , or not at all . Competitions . At the high school level , students generally compete by grade level in events such as the spirit days , parade floats , and powder puff football . The competition at the collegiate level is mainly between Greek - letter organizations and , to a lesser degree , residence halls . At most larger schools , fraternities and sororities compete on parade floats , house decorations , skits , talent competitions , and even service events such as blood drives or food drives . Sometimes on coronation night , some schools have games that they play between classes . Such events include the pyramid , the 3 legged race , the pop chug , and tug of war . Smaller school homecomings . While most schools schedule their Homecoming activities around football , smaller schools that do not field a football team may plan the annual event at another time of the year . In these instances , basketball , ice hockey or soccer serves as the " big game " for students and alumni . Often in smaller towns with smaller populations , the parade is omitted . At schools without athletic programs , the centerpiece event is usually a banquet , where alumni are recognized . This format is also used for alumni events of high schools that have either closed or consolidated with other high schools ; the high school classes continue to meet and celebrate their years at their now - defunct alma mater . Courtwarming . In some parts of the country , high school basketball has gained a homecoming celebration of its own . Often referred to as " Winter Homecoming " , " Hoopcoming " , " Coronation " , " Snowcoming " , " Colors Day , " or " Courtwarming " ( the latter is especially prominent in parts of Missouri ) , it usually includes rallies , dress - up days , special dinners , king and queen coronations , and other winter - friendly activities typically associated with football homecoming . Canada . The best - known and largest homecoming weekends are held by the University of Western Ontario , the University of Manitoba , McGill University , McMaster University , Queen ' s University , Trent University , University of Guelph , University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University each year . Canadian homecoming weekends are often centred on a football game but are also filled with events such as " pancake keggers " and parades . In Newfoundland and Labrador , communities have a " Come Home Year " where people who have moved away from their town come back from across Canada . In 2000 , there was a provincial " Come Home Year " , where many people came back to visit their various communities . Homecomings are popular among Canadian high schools . Newmarket High School , London South Collegiate Institute , Banting Memorial High School and Earl Haig Secondary School are examples of known schools in Ontario to arrange homecomings . Upper Canada College also has a longstanding homecoming tradition , although the event is referred to as " A - Day " ( Association Day ) . Other . The term " homecoming " can also refer to the special services conducted by some religious congregations , particularly by many smaller American Protestant churches , to celebrate church heritage and welcome back former members or pastors . They are often held annually , but are sometimes held as one - time - only events , to celebrate the occasion . Homecoming should not be confused with prom , as they usually occur at different times of the year . Homecoming usually occurs in the fall , and prom usually occurs in the spring . Mums & Garters . In some states , specifically Texas , Homecoming can be signified and exemplified by mums and garters . These decorative spirit symbols are usually made of at least the following but aren ' t limited to : 1 . A fake flower and backing 2 . Ribbons of all kinds within the colors of the school or specific grade Extra decoratives to add to a mum or garter can be : 1 . Trinkets such as a drum for band , a hat for drill team , or pom - poms for cheerleading 2 . Letters spelling the individual ' s name , their grade , " HOMECOMING " , their graduation year , any activities they are involved in , etc . 3 . Feather boas or feathers 4 . Flashing lights attached to ribbons or fake flower 5 . Teddy bear or school mascot in stuffed animal form hot glued on to the fake flower 6 . Garland to put on the fake flower or intertwine within the ribbons 7 . Braided ribbons or any intricate ribbon creation 8 . 3 " - 4 " folded ribbons stapled onto and around the backing of the fake flower 9 . Anything else that looks decorative and spirited