UW-Madison Homecoming held several events around campus this weekend, kicking off a week filled with school spirit and events and culminating in the Homecoming game against Iowa Saturday.
Campus groups such as the Wisconsin Singers, the Madhatters and UW Hypnotiq greeted students passing through Library Mall Friday afternoon with free pizza and entertainment.
Bucky's Cross-Campus Quest, an ""Amazing Race""-style competition, took place Saturday. Teams raced through campus showing off their knowledge of Badger culture, completing physical tasks, answering trivia questions and taking pictures.
The 24th Annual Homecoming 5K Run/Walk rounded out the weekend's events on Sunday.
Homecoming encourages alumni to return to campus and gives community members the chance to learn more about UW-Madison and its students.
Whitney Bauer, UW Homecoming Committee co-chair, said this week is about celebrating what it means to be a Badger.
""A lot of students have passed through UW-Madison, and they've done some really great things, and the students that are here now have the opportunity to do so many great things,"" she said. ""It's a good way to celebrate all that the university has to offer and sort of get back together with everyone.""
Many of the events also raise money for the Dean of Students Crisis Loan Fund, which helps to assistant UW-Madison students in financial emergencies.
""This is your chance to celebrate being a Badger now, because you might be a student here for four or five years, but you'll always be an alumni. You'll always be a Badger no matter what,"" Bauer said.
Homecoming events will continue throughout this week, leading up to Saturday's football game.
The McClain Athletic Center will be open to all students for the Badger Games Monday night, with events including tug-of-war and the Dizzy Izzy race.
The Air Band Competition will take place Tuesday at Memorial Union, where teams of students will showcase their lip-syncing talents as they perform their favorite songs without any of their own musical instruments or vocals.
""Even if you don't get a team together to compete, just going and watching is really entertaining,"" Bauer said.
New to this year's lineup is the A.V. Club's Jarringly Obscure Trivia contest Wednesday, presented by The Onion.
The Spirit Parade takes place Thursday night, with the UW Marching Band, the dance team, cheerleaders and Bucky invading residence hall dining areas. The parade ends at Library Mall, where the Yell Like Hell competition will follow.
Events culminate Friday night with the Homecoming Parade running down Gilman and State Streets, ending at Memorial Union for a pep rally.
All of this year's events are available without preregistration to encourage as many students as possible to get involved.
