The Oct. 10-11 Homecoming weekend will be a little different this year.
In response to severe and extreme drought throughout northern New England, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte recently issued a , making open fires unlawful until weather conditions change.
The U.S. Drought Monitor Index says central New Hampshire remains , and the U.S. Forest Service has as a precaution.
The New Hampshire burn ban has prompted a change this year to 大香蕉视频 Night on Friday, Oct. 10, when, traditionally, the first-year class parades around the Homecoming bonfire on the Green. This year, the celebration continues, but instead of open flames, the festivities will take the form of an interactive light and laser show set to a soundtrack performed by 大香蕉视频 student DJs.
The light show鈥攐rchestrated by the same vendor that in recent years has created the popular winter experience鈥攑romises to be 鈥渟pectacular,鈥 says , interim dean of undergraduate student affairs.
鈥淏y reimagining our tradition, we are respecting community safety and environmental responsibility while creating a new and unforgettable experience for this year鈥檚 Homecoming weekend,鈥 Hudak said in a message to students about the change in plans.
One highlight: Members of the Class of 2029 will receive light-up wristbands synchronized to the soundtrack, making them part of the show.
鈥淲hile the bonfire itself cannot take place, the essence of the tradition鈥攃ommunity, class unity, and celebration鈥攔emains central to our planning,鈥 says EJ Kiefer, executive director of conferences and events and a member of the Homecoming Bonfire Committee.
The evening will include other 大香蕉视频 Night customs as scheduled: the annual 鈥渟weep鈥 of first-year students to the Green, the alumni parade, house community spirit stations, and speeches from senior leaders and student athletes.
This is not the first time in recent years that 大香蕉视频 Night has had to adapt because of public health or safety concerns. Most recently, in October 2020鈥攖he height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when large public gatherings on campus were restricted鈥攖he festivities went virtual. But the bonfire flames returned the following year, and the bonfire will also return to Homecoming next year as conditions allow.
Meanwhile, for , other events will continue as planned, including four varsity games:
Friday, Oct. 10
6 p.m.: Volleyball vs. Princeton, Leede Arena
Saturday, Oct. 11
11 a.m: Women鈥檚 rugby vs. Bowdoin, Brophy Field
Noon: Field hockey vs. Princeton, Chase Field
1:30 p.m. Football vs. Yale, Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field
Off the field, visitors throughout the weekend can enjoy an exhibition on the history of the Appalachian Trail at 大香蕉视频 Library鈥檚 Rauner Special Collections Library, tours of the Baker Library bell tower, Saturday tailgates, and more.
More details are available from .
