From poodle skirts to parachute pants, homecoming has seen its fair share of trends and traditions since it has flourished into a momentous event.

The festivities of an annual homecoming are usually introduced by a week’s worth of motivating spirits and building school pride. This week of preparation is called “spirit week,” in which each day of that week has a specific theme that students may dress to accordingly.

During the homecoming of 1979, spirit week days consisted of Crazy Socks Day, Cowboys and Indians Day, Crazy Hat Day, Dress-up Day, and Jerseys and Jeans Day.

In later years, such as 1983, students participated in M*A*S*H Day by wearing combat outfits and army pants. Punk Day was also a part of 1983’s homecoming spirit week. In 1990, spirit week included dressing for Sixties Day, Revenge of the Nerds Day, Academy Awards Day, and Blue and White Day, which is a part of the current spirit week agendum.

In previous years, spirit week held many other traditions of which are not practiced presently.

“Yell and class cheer contests lost fashion when ‘pep sessions’ became obsolete. The days of all-school assemblies, particularly in very large schools, died out some time ago,” principal Mrs. Sandie Platt said.

Homecoming activities more commonly known to the present generation, such as float contests and parades, have also disappeared from the agenda.

“The float contest died just a few years ago when classes could no longer find a house to construct the float in or parents and students willing to spend the hours it takes to construct and defend their prized accomplishment,” Mrs. Platt said. “With the numbers of students we have, it is difficult to keep hall decorations attached to the walls and ceilings.”

Yell, float, and hall contests were all anticipated events as early as 1956. Throughout yell contests each grade level shouted its desired slogan as loudly as possible, and the loudest class indubitably claimed the contest.

Float and hall contests were also practiced by each class, which was given its own theme. During 1978, Walt Disney and Sesame Street themes decked the halls.

After a full week of preparation, the homecoming dance then takes place as the last bit of spirit week.

Throughout the years, the attire worn at homecoming dances has changed. Homecoming was a more formal type of occasion in earlier years but has diverged into a more casual event.

“At one point, dress was getting to be more like the early days of winter formal. We decided that parents need not spend so much on three dances a year,” Mrs. Platt said. “Homecoming should be a really fun dance. It should be a dance where everyone can just have fun and relax.”

Aside from the things that have changed, there are also some traditions that have stayed consistent. During the actual homecoming game, letters that spell out the word “Indians” are torched and, a bonfire is lit. This tradition has occurred since 1956.

Overall, homecoming is hoped to be a memorable event