September 10, 2004 – Themed as “Crimson Connection”, Homecoming week begins Monday, September 20 with the House Decoration Contest and culminates Saturday, September 25 with the football game vs. Air Force and Homecoming Dance. The diverse events for Homecoming 2004 will accommodate students, alumni and families as they celebrate the influence the University of Utah has had on their lives. Tickets to events are available at the Alumni House and many of the events are free. For more information and a complete schedule go to http://www.alumni.utah.edu/homecoming/.

Homecoming Week at the U has traditionally started with the House Decorating Contest. Fraternity and sorority chapters decorate the facades and yards of their homes along Wolcott Street and 1st South according to the theme of the week. Other student groups participate by decorating their respective locations around campus. Judging begins Monday, September 20 at 9 a.m. Decorations stay up to keep the U spirit alive throughout the week.

Paint the Town Red is a new and exciting activity for Homecoming 2004. On Tuesday, September 21, U of U students, staff, and alumni, along with high school students, community members, and businesses will meet at Smith’s Marketplace on 4th South between the hours of noon and 3 p.m. for food music and fun. From there, the participants will split into groups and paint windows, hang banners and further decorate 4th South and Main Street businesses with Ute pride! Among those in attendance will be Coach Urban Meyer and members of the Utah Football Team. Paint and materials will be supplied.

Giving back to the community has always been an integral part of the Homecoming spirit. On Tuesday evening the annual Bennion Center Hunger Banquet will be held. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Union Saltair Room. Admission is $5 or 5 non-perishable food items for students, $10 or 10 non-perishable food items for the general public. All money will be donated to Oxfam America, an organization dedicated to solving poverty, hunger, and social injustice. The canned goods will be donated to the Utah Food Bank.

Songfest started as a musical celebration of life at the U in the 1950s and was eventually added to the Homecoming festivities as one of the traditional events. Fraternity and sorority chapters and student groups perform song and dance numbers that are patterned after this year’s Homecoming theme “Crimson Connection.” Judges rate performances and determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for men, women and mixed gender categories. Songfest will be held Wednesday, September 22 at 6 p.m. in Kingsbury Hall The program will feature songfest presentations, pep rally videos, and the announcement of 2004’s Outstanding Greek Man and Woman of the Year.

The annual Homecoming Bonfire will light up the night sky at the Alumni House on Thursday, September 23, at 7 p.m. This is the biggest pep-rally of the year and is hosted by the Residence Hall Association (RHA), the Alumni Association and the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASSU.) Students from all over campus and members of the University of Utah community will enjoy activities such as inflatable games, live music, free food, and the traditional lighting of the bonfire. Coach Urban Meyer and many other University of Utah Athletics coaches will be introducing the teams and getting everyone excited for the year. The University Marching Band, Crimson Line Dancers, and Cheerleaders will be making sure this event is the best kick-off for athletics!

The Annual “3 Club” Golf Tournament is an entertaining tradition for Homecoming, held at the U of U Golf Course throughout the day on Friday, September 24. There will be three flights with shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m., Noon, and 3:30 p.m. Teams of four golfers will compete for great prizes using no more than three golf clubs of their choice. No clubs above a five wood are allowed. The entrance fee for this scramble format tournament is $10 per person or $40 per team.

Friday’s Crimson Nights is the biggest late night party for students, faculty and staff during the Homecoming Week. Students and their guests can come and enjoy the festivities at the University Union from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Admission is free with a U Card and each student/faculty/staff can bring one guest at no charge. Crimson Nights has something for everyone! The event includes movies, bowling, billiards, dances, laser tag, karaoke, a hypnotist, and much more.

Game Day Saturday, September 25 kicks off with the Young Alumni 5K run. Registration will be at the alumni house from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Runners will then be shuttled to the starting line at Research Park for the 9 a.m. starting gun. Participants receive an event T-shirt and will be eligible for fantastic prize drawings and scholarships.

After the 5K race, the annual Homecoming Pre-game Barbeque will take place on the lawn north of the Eccles Tennis Center at 11 a.m. Tickets include an all-you-can-eat buffet courtesy of Utah Food Services.

Following the barbeque, the University of Utah Football team will take-on Air Force at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 1 p.m.

Homecoming 2004 wraps-up later that day with the Homecoming Dance, held at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The dance will feature a DJ, gourmet dessert buffet by Culinary Crafts, chocolate fountains, Love Sacs, and Prize Drawings. Dress is semi-formal and tickets are available at the Alumni House, ASUU (Union 234), Union front desk, and MUSS Fan club tables.