While Homecoming has been a Ball State tradition since 1926, this year marks the beginning of a new tradition - Homecoming Village.
Homecoming Village will be marked by a zip line, live bands, rock climbing wall, vendors, a poker tournament and several other activities playing off of this year's Las Vegas theme, "Play Your Cards Right." The strip of festivities will stretch along Martin Street between University and Riverside avenues, and it will also reach behind the Ball Honors House, said Jordan Habayeb, Homecoming Steering Committee Opening Day Chairman. Habayeb said this event will set the tone for Homecoming Week.
"I want it to be full of excitement and Ball State pride as people zip down the zip line, take in the great music and take advantage of the all of the specials in the Village," the senior organizational communication studies major said.
The Superbowl Village that took place in the heart of Indianapolis last February for Superbowl XLVI sparked this idea, said Abby Marsh, the Homecoming Opening Day chairwoman. Planning for the premier event began six months ago as the Homecoming Steering Committee worked out the concept with co-sponsorship from the University Program Board. And while Scheumann Stadium may not be as large as Lucas Oil Stadium, the sophomore fashion merchandising major said she hopes Homecoming Village will be a success.
"After seeing how well the Superbowl Village turned out in downtown Indy, our hopes were to make an event that contained the same excitement allowing students and the Muncie community to interact," Marsh said.
Marsh said Village businesses will offer special deals available to those attending the festivities, some of which include Grandma Betty's and Scotty's Brewhouse.
Senior business administration major Tyler Sanders said he plans to attend the event and is excited to see Village restaurants offering their best.
"It's a great opportunity for students to get to try things in the Village that they normally wouldn't," Sanders said.
The event will be free for all, the only charge being the nearly block-long zip line, which will be $5 for non-students, ages 13 and older. There will also be an outdoor rock climbing wall, photo booth, live student bands, food vendors and games throughout the event.
"It'll be cool to see what they have and enjoy going out to something like this on a Monday night when you normally don't see events like these happening on a weekday," senior visual communications major Brianna Beck said.
Beck, a Kinghorn resident assistant, encouraged residents to attend Homecoming festivities and posted fliers for the week's events. This is Beck's fourth year celebrating Ball State Homecoming, and she said she thinks this event adds something extra to the annual school spirit celebration.
"I think it expands Homecoming a little bit and helps make the whole Homecoming Week different than any other week at Ball State," Beck said.
Habayeb said there will be a 7 p.m. Homecoming Village opening kick-off celebration with the football team and President Jo Ann Gora will also make an appearance. Habayeb said it remains to be seen if Gora will take a ride on the zip line or not.
"The offer still stands for her to be the first to go down [the zip line], Habayeb said. "Two can ride at once, so I'll be more than happy to hop on with her."
The Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, held in the green behind Honors House, will begin at 7:15 p.m. Habayeb said students pre-registered to enter the tournament and winners will receive a swag bag filled with homecoming merchandise. For those interesting in learning rather than competing, there will be beginner's training sessions held during the event, which are open to any who want to learn.
Sanders said he wants to see Homecoming Village continue after its 10 p.m. closing.
"I think that it's a real big thing that this is coming to Ball State," Sanders said. "It's our own Muncie Gras, our own Superbowl Village. If it goes well, I think it should become a tradition that goes on."
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