Baylor’s Homecoming Parade is one of the university’s oldest and most beloved traditions. Every year, thousands of students, alumni and families line the streets of Waco to cheer on the floats that pass by. But behind the finished products lie months of hard work and dedication that many never see.

Every fall, Baylor Homecoming begins in the heart of campus, where the glow of the Eternal Flame stretches across Fountain Mall. The Ten at Ten: A Mass Meeting Experience marks the start of the weekend as a moment when the Baylor Family gathers to celebrate tradition, renew community and reflect on the university’s motto: “Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo” — “For the Church, for Texas, for the World.”

For many Baylor alumni, homecoming is more than just a fun weekend — it’s a return to the community, traditions and people who formed their college years. And for some, it’s also a cure for something familiar to most post-grads — the fear of missing out.

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.

Cardboard shields gleam under streetlights, pool noodles whip through the air and laughter mixes with shouts. The apocalypse has arrived, and the Honors Residential College couldn’t be happier.

For nearly 50 years, WestFest has brought families together over Labor Day weekend with polka music, homemade Czech food, carnival rides and a celebration of tradition that keeps the small town’s heritage alive.

“I don’t believe it’s appropriate for Christians to celebrate Seder because they neglect the story from which it originates,” Abel said. “I don’t believe that you can throw a name on a celebration that has deep cultural meaning to others.”

Attractions, free food and spring weather filled Fountain Mall during the university’s annual Diadeloso event on Tuesday. The student and partner-staffed event sported state fair games, goat yoga and a concert at Waco Hall featuring Joshua Bassett.

“All Christian traditions can appreciate Easter for what it is, and I think the preparation season is a really good opportunity, for reflection, for connection, for understanding,” Menesses said. “I think that’s something that we should be able to share in and should be encouraged to be a community wide process.”

According to Jordy Dickey, director of Student Activities, Lady and her late sister Judge “Joy” Reynolds contributed to the atmosphere of Baylor campus life and the university’s mission. Dickey noted that the bears create academic opportunities for students.

Among the groups participating is Sing Alliance, an organization that puts the “All University” in “All-University Sing,” according to the group’s president, Fort Worth junior Audrie Liles. Unlike other groups, Sing Alliance welcomes students from all corners of campus.

“Chinese people care about togetherness and bonding with their families,” Wang said. “So during the Lunar New Year, many will take a break from work and school and go through the process of traveling from the city and urban areas back to where they grew up.”

“This year, we’re taking it a step further with special effects, adding even more excitement to the event,” Edara said. “We’re also thrilled to bring snow to Christmas on Fifth this year, adding an extra layer of holiday magic.”

“Every week, a month before Christmas, we light a candle in our house to anticipate the coming of Christ,” Mackenzie said. “It is a fun tradition that we do to point the meaning back to the real reason of Christmas.”

“I love coming to the international student Thanksgiving dinner and celebration,” Livingstone said. “It’s great to celebrate the culture of our students from around the world and then to help them understand a very American tradition of Thanksgiving.”

“It is great having family tradition in the same school,” Linda said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from. You still see people you know, everyone coming together. Ever since we graduated, we’ve come back to homecoming just about every year.”

Under partly cloudy skies in Indian Spring Park, Creative Waco hosted its annual Día de los Muertos festival on Saturday. Here, festival-goers enjoyed the usual parade, food vendors, dance performances, and more, but something stood out from previous festivals — the prominent monarch butterfly theme.

Although the holiday is normally celebrated for two days, Rocio Ramirez Landoll said that she wanted to create a grand ofrenda and celebration that lasts an extra few days so that the community could have more opportunities to come see it.

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.

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.

With all eyes on them after their first place win this past Sing season, Kappa Omega Tau prepares not only to defend their title, but to have fun while doing it.

The best college memories are made outside of the lecture halls. Waco and Baylor provide so many fun to-dos that you need to add to your college bucket list during your four years.

For me, being from another country is a blessing. I get to share my language, culture, customs and even traditions with those around me.

The event is a place for students to meet others and connect with cultural organizations on campus — with the added plus of free food, music and a cultural showcase. Throughout Mosaic Week, each ethnic group represented will have a night to put on a welcome fair and show off their campus coalition.

Baylor will host the annual Late Night event with hundreds of campus clubs and organizations from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Friday.

While they may be known for wearing their classic green-and-white striped shirts and riding tandem bikes, members of Student Foundation contribute to Baylor in so many more ways than they will ever be recognized for.

The Beall Poetry Festival will take place from Wednesday to Friday on Baylor’s campus, celebrating its 30th anniversary. This year, the special guest will be Tracy K. Smith, author of “Wade in the Water” and “Life on Mars” and 2022 Poet Laureate of the United States.

Each year, Baylor veteran students receive help during their transition from the military to college life through the Veterans Education and Transitional Services program.

All-University Sing is a special tradition for Baylor. Many other schools host similar events, but nothing quite as extraordinary, which is why it is Baylor’s best event.