ST. GEORGE – “Hurrah For Dixie” is the theme for the Dixie State College of Utah’s 2010 Centennial Homecoming Week, which runs October 4-9, with a number of campus events that both campus and Washington Counties communities are invited to participate in. From the annual Queen Pageant, the Parade, Founder’s Day Assembly, Football Game and Tailgate Party, and the Gala Ball, this year’s Centennial Homecoming at Dixie State has something for everyone.
“The age old tradition of returning as Alumni to Dixie State College gets even bigger and better this year as we celebrate the centennial year of higher education in St. George,” said George F. Whitehead, DSC vice president of advancement and cultural arts. “I invite everyone in Washington County to join us in celebrating and rekindling the ‘Dixie Spirit’ at the many activities scheduled during our Homecoming Week. The events will be second to none and will culminate with a Centennial Gala Ball with live band music that spam’s the decades of Dixie. Hurrah for Dixie!”
Homecoming activities will begin on Monday, Oct. 4, with a formal student kick-off event at the Encampment Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The annual Homecoming Queen Pageant will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m., in the Eccles Fine Arts Center’s Main Stage Theater. This year’s pageant theme is “Black and Gold,” with 17 contestants vying for the title of Ms. Dixie 2010-11. Tickets will be available for purchase for $8 per person, $5 for all DSC students, faculty and staff with current DSC ID, at the Avenna Center Ticket Office beginning Sept. 28.
Festivities continue the following evening on Wednesday, Oct. 6, as DSC will hold its annual Homecoming Powder Puff Football game under the lights at Hansen Stadium beginning at 7 p.m. DSC students will then get in a little painting in on Thursday, Oct. 7, with the annual painting of the “D” service project at the intersection of 300 South and 800 East beginning at 4 p.m. Admission is free both events.
Raging Red Day is set for Friday, Oct. 8, in which all DSC students, faculty and staff, alumni and community are asked to show school spirit and wear red all day. Meanwhile, the ASDSC student council will present the annual “Rock the Mall” school song competition at 2 p.m., on the Gardner Center Plaza.
Friday’s alumni activities include the Alumni Assembly at 10 a.m., in the Eccles Concert Hall, and Golden Generation Luncheon and Program at 12 noon, in the Gardner Center Ballroom. The Alumni Assembly is free to attend, while tickets for the Golden Generation Luncheon may be purchased for $11. In addition, the annual Dixie Alumni Reunion Party and Barbeque will be held Friday at the Stephen and Marcia Wade Alumni House beginning at 7 p.m. The party and barbeque is free and open to all DSC alumni and their families.
The Friday night activities will wind down during the midnight hour as DSC will host the 2nd-Annual Alumni 5-Kilometer Run/Walk at the Encampment Mall on campus.
Saturday’s (Oct. 9) festivities begin bright and early with a free community breakfast at the St. George Town Square from 7-8:30 a.m. Immediately following the breakfast will be the Founder’s Day Assembly at 8:30 a.m., in the St. George Tabernacle. Admission to both is free. This year’s Assembly will pay tribute to the original eight founders of Dixie College and their descendents, including James G. Bleak, David H. Cannon, Thomas P. Cottom, Arthur F. Miles, David H. Morris, Edward H. Snow, George F. Whitehead, and John T. Woodbury.
The annual Homecoming Parade begins at 10 a.m., and will travel up 100 South Street, beginning at the original Dixie campus on Main Street and ending at the Old Gym on DSC’s campus on 700 East. DSC alumnus Elder Steven E. Snow (Class of 1971), a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will serve as the parade’s grand marshal.
DSC officials anticipate this year’s Homecoming Parade will be the biggest in school history with more than 100 entries, one entry for each year the College has served the community. Individuals or businesses wishing to place entries in the parade are asked to contact DSC director of student activities Donna Stafford at 435-652-7513, or by email at [email protected].
The DSC Alumni Association will host a free tailgate party at the Wade Alumni House at 11:30 a.m., prior to Dixie State’s football game vs. Western Oregon, which is slated to kick-off at 1 p.m. Game tickets ($7 reserved, $5 general admission) may be purchased by calling the DSC general ticket office at 435-652-7800, or online at “tickets.dixie.edu.” Tickets may also be purchased at the box office at Hansen Stadium prior to kickoff.
Homecoming Week festivities wrap up Saturday night with the annual Alumni Homecoming Banquet at 6 p.m., in the Old Gym. Speaking at this year’s banquet will be Elder Steven E. Snow (Class of 1971), while fellow alumni Spence and Olive Esplin, and Sharon and the late Dr. Jay Blake will be presented with Distinguished Alumni awards. Tickets for the banquet may be purchased for $13/couple ($18/couple includes banquet and Homecoming Gala Ball tickets).
Following the Banquet, alumni and guests alike will be invited to dance the rest of the night away at the Centennial Homecoming Gala Ball from 7:30 p.m. to midnight, in the Gardner Ballroom. Admission to the dance is $15 for couples, and may be purchased in advance at the Avenna Center Ticket Office or at the door. This year’s Ball will feature music from all 10 decades of Dixie College’s existence, including performances from the “Beatles Imagine Band” and the DSC Jazz Band.
Tickets for the Golden Generation Luncheon and Alumni Banquet may be purchased by contacting the DSC Alumni Office 435-652-7535 or via email at [email protected].