UT’s first Homecoming came to campus in conjunction with the Nov. 11, 1916 UT-Vanderbilt football game.

Nearly 300 alumni flooded UT and represented classes as early as 1872 as the Vols came back to win 10-6. President Brow Ayres even declared the following Monday a holiday so more celebration could ensue.

In 1925, Homecoming became an annual event following a break due to World War I. The only year Homecoming has not happened since was in 1943 when students decided to donate funds to the Red Cross or use them to purchase war bonds.

Betty Walker was crowned the first Homecoming Queen in Nov. 1950 and the tradition continued for 20 years until Daily Beacon columnist Vince Staten won with 2,500 votes but was not crowned queen because his candidacy was deemed invalid. Electing a queen was reinstated for three years from 1982 to 1985. Shannon Whittington became the first African American to win Homecoming Queen in 1985. Between 2002 and 2012 a Miss Homecoming was named and Homecoming Highnesses were named in 2013.

Now, 102 years after its start, Homecoming events are hosted by the Office of Alumni Affairs, the Office of Multicultural Student Life, the Black Cultural Programming Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers and the All Campus Events Committee. Participation ranges from fraternity and sorority life to residence halls.

Here are some events to look forward to this Homecoming, themed “Sweet as Soda Pop!” prior to UT’s game against the Charlotte 49ers that kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Sunday:

On Sunday, Homecoming week will kick off with Chalking Ped Walkway. Hosted by the All Campus Events Committee, student teams can decorate Ped Walkway from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to decorate designated squares according to the “Sweet as Soda Pop” theme.

Monday

The annual Homecoming Carnival will kick off at 11 a.m. in the Humanities Plaza. Hosted by the Center for Student Engagement, free food, carnival games, photo booths, a virtual reality roller coaster and other features will be available until 2 p.m.

One of the older traditions- dyeing the Europa the Bull fountain orange- will kick off at 2 p.m. in the Humanities Plaza. Hosted by the Student Alumni Associates and the Homecoming Committee, be sure to stop by and see the water turn orange.

The 2018 3-on-3 basketball games will kick off at 5 p.m. at TRECS Monday evening. With games lasting until 10 p.m., All Campus Events will ensure the tournament

Like trick or treating? The National Residence Hall Honorary and the United Residence Halls Council will pair up to provide a safe community for trick or treating. Families and all attendees will receive free snacks and activities while local organizations and campus groups provide information about their respective entities. The event kicks off at 5:00 p.m. in Circle Park.

Looking for some humor in your week? The Black Cultural Programming Committee will host its annual Homecoming Comedy Show in AMB 210 at 7 p.m.

Tuesday

The Center for Student Engagement will help you start the day off right with breakfast on Ped Walkway. First come, first serve starting at 8 a.m.

Student organizations will hand out information and candy outside of the Torchbearer for Torchbearer Tuesday. Organizations will be set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The All Campus Events Committee will drop decorated banners on the side of Neyland at 12:30 p.m. in the annual Banner Drop.

Anything Goes kicks off at 4 p.m. at FIJI Island. Hosted by All Campus Events Committee, the competition is a team relay race with mystery Minute-to-Win-It style activities.

Wednesday

The Center for Student Engagement’s Treat Yo’ Self will give students a chance to relax, eat ice cream and make an aromatherapy reed diffuser. It all kicks off at 11 a.m. on Pedestrian Walkway and will be available until 1 p.m.

Offices across campus will compete in a decorating contest at 2 p.m. Hosted by the Center for Student Engagement, offices will be decorated with the “Sweet as Soda Pop” theme.

In conjunction with the All Campus Events Committee Competition, residence halls and campus organizations will collect canned goods with the goal of making the tallest tower in the shortest amount of time. The event kicks off at 4 p.m. at the UT Recycling Center; canned goods will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank

The Multicultural Mentoring Program will host its annual Mr. and Miss Freshman Pageant at 7 p.m in Cox Auditorium. With the intention of allowing first-year students to showcase personalities and talents to the rest of the student body, tickets will be sold for $5 from mentors and contestants prior to the show and are $7 at the door.

Homecoming isn’t all about football. The UT men’s basketball team will face Tusculum College at 7 p.m. in an exhibition game at Thompson Boling Arena.

Thursday

First Year Studies will host its Peer Mentor Soda Pop Shop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Ped Walkway.

Jack Neely will give an overview of campus and UT history from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in a walking tour. Hosted by the Campus Events Board, Neely will give insight into what he previewed in his lecture last Thursday.

Vols, graduated and current, will team up to provide Volunteer service to the community. The team will serve with one another to clean up Cumberland Avenue starting at the Howard Baker Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. before eating Brenz Pizza to end the service.

One of the most popular Homecoming events, Smokey’s Howl, will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at Thompson-Boling Arena. Cheer routines based on the “Sweet as Soda Pop” theme will be performed.

Join other Volunteers at the Homecoming Bonfire at FIJI Island. Hosted by the Student Government Association, UT cheerleaders, Smokey, Pride of the Southland band members will join students for s’mores and a bonfire to celebrate Homecoming.

Friday

Jack Neely will host another walking tour from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by the Campus Events Board, Neely will give insight into what he previewed in his lecture last Thursday.

Credited as the event that started it all in 1916, the parade will begin at Circle Park at 4 p.m. Hosted by the Center for Student Engagement, Alumni Affairs and All Campus Events Committee, UT affiliates and Knoxville communities will join to watch. A Post-Parade Celebration will take place on Cumberland Ave. following the parade to celebrate Homecoming.

Hosted by Multicultural Student Life, the 19th Annual Southeastern Stomp Fest will kick off at 6:30 p.m. in Cox Auditorium. NPHC sororities and fraternities will perform “high energy stepping performances” for students, alumni and the Knoxville community.

UT Singers will perform in a Homecoming and Reunion Concert from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Natalie Haslam Music Center. As the School of Music’s original choral ensemble, UT Singers will join Tennessee’s Music Ambassadors to present their annual concert in recognition of their 70th anniversary.

Saturday

Various tailgates will start on campus at 1 p.m. including: the Alumni Tailgate at the Tyson House; the annual Frieson Black Cultural Center Tailgate; the Tickle College of Engineering Annual Homecoming BBQ in the Engineering Quad; College of Law Tailgate in the Courtyard of the College of Law; and the History Department on the Hill at Ayres Hall.

Kick-off against the Charlotte 49ers is 4 p.m. The Vol Walk is at 2:15 p.m., gates open at 2:30, the band will march at 2:50 p.m. Alumni will join the Pride of the Southland Band for a special halftime performance during the football game.