Half a century ago, Baylor Homecoming celebrations included barricade kissing, snake dancing and “Hawny Frog” skits, trading elaborate floats for simple wagons and buggies. Today, much like 1909, the bonfire still burns bright, a pep rally flings green and gold afar, the parade bridges downtown Waco and campus and, of course, the football game is a staple. Decades of Baylor Homecoming shine brightly in their similarities, with some crown jewels fading into the archives.

The festival will run from 4-10 p.m. on Saturday at Indian Spring Park. This year’s event will debut a bright, multicolored “alebrije” theme, said Julie Cervantes, Parade Director for Dia de los Muertos and Director of Strategic Development at Creative Waco. Cervantes said she expects attendees to go all out with the theme through their costumes and parade floats this year.

Terry Terracino rang in her 70th anniversary of being Baylor Homecoming Queen by riding in a glimmering black Corvette in the 2024 homecoming parade. Her daughter, Gretchen McCormack, and granddaughter, Dr. Arden Roeder, stood gleefully watching as they, too, celebrated their legacies at Baylor.

“It brings both Baylor’s campus and the Waco community together to celebrate our shared history,” Chiles said. “The alumni of the past are allowed to come watch an hour and a half long parade that showcases the best of Baylor and Waco.”

The night before the Homecoming parade, Baylor prefaced their event with a post on X revealing the winning floats. While there is an element of competition to the floats, these float chairs agree that for them, the homecoming parade which is the longest-standing in the nation’s history goes beyond obtaining a ranking.

Homecoming is upon us! Here is the ultimate list of happenings to attend during your weekend. From rallies to revues, performances to pumpkin patches, games to gatherings this lineup assures none will be bored. The question is: can you hit them all?

Whether you’re drawn to the fun of the fraternity floats, the intensity of the bonfire, the stakes of the football game, or the high-energy Pigskin Revue, your favorite Baylor Homecoming tradition might just reveal a lot about you.

“If history wants to remember the first official homecoming game in college football, all the evidence suggests this was it,” the article stated.

“I do think it has a great meaning, especially with the history and how it all started,” Chaves said. “I think it’s very nice to experience that in the whole week, and as an international student, I get a sense of home or belonging.”

Baylor Homecoming traditions help bridge the gap for out-of-state students by hosting unique community experiences. Many states don’t indulge in the spirited football games or the big homecoming traditions that Texas has.

Here’s a list of everything to do during homecoming week for students, alumni and families alike, on and off campus.