By Lana Lagomarsini
“Red, White and NU” was the motto of Saturday’s Homecoming Parade, which began at 10 a.m. and traveled from the Freshman Quad to Forsyth Street and down to Centennial Commons where the Homecoming Carnival began.
The parade was one of several homecoming festivities this weekend, which included Jon Stewart’s stand-up comedy performance on Friday, Saturday’s football game against University of New Hampshire and Thursday night’s pep rally in the Curry Student Center, where it was moved due to poor weather conditions.
The floats featured in the parade were designed and built by groups including the Diehard Dogs, Greek organizations and the Resident Student Association.
“I was impressed with the Stetson West float,” said Casey Birmingham, a freshman mechanical engineering major.
The parade was led by the newly elected Mayor of Huntington Avenue Stephen Lavenberg.
“It was cool,” said Lavenberg, who is also a junior health science major and CUP’s vice president of collaboration. “My dad got to join me which was nice because he went to Northeastern. But they quizzed me four times on the route so I wouldn’t go astray.”
After the parade, the Homecoming Carnival in Centennial Commons featured giveaways, carnival games, snack stands and pumpkin painting.
A live band played mostly rock music and was comprised of Northeastern alumni, Lavenberg said.
“There’s hot cider, free T-shirts and everybody seems to be having a good time,” said Steven Adams, a junior mechanical engineering major.
The carnival and parade also allowed attendees to meet Lavenberg, who was announced as the new mayor during the Homecoming Pep Rally.
“I was so excited to be a part of Homecoming,” he said. “It was amazing being at the football game at halftime and seeing all the fans.”
Thursday night’s pep rally gave Northeastern athletics a chance to shine. Athletes had an opportunity to talk about their teams and get excited for the upcoming year, Lavenberg said.
Theresa Langschultz, a junior international affairs and political science major who also served as co-chair for the Homecoming Committee, said the planning for Homecoming Week began in April. She said she was “extremely pleased” with the turnout at events and proud of the collaborative effort from different student groups on campus.
“The homecoming events were an opportunity to show Northeastern spirit and create a cohesive sense of community,” she said.
Lavenberg said he didn’t see many differences between last year’s and this year’s Homecoming, and that he is looking forward to getting students excited about athletics as mayor.
“I think the big difference was that last year we won the football game, which definitely helped, but this year there was great attendance at the game,” he said. “The hockey game too I think is a great example, just because so many people [were there]. Students were standing out in line waiting for tickets. It was a packed place. And we beat BC, which is awesome.”
During Saturday’s football game Student Government Association President Rob Ranley was named Homecoming King and Sigma Delta Tau’s Chelsea Morgan was named Homecoming Queen.
Ranley said Homecoming Weekend was bittersweet for him this year, as he’s a senior.
“It’s definitely one of those weeks where everything is crazy. Everyone is coming together and … I’m looking forward to coming back as an alumnus,” he said.
– News staff Rachel Zarrell
contributed to this report.
