What: Annual Homecoming pep rally and bonfire.

The event will include a speech from the Homecoming grand marshal, presentation of the 2017 Homecoming court, and a performance by the Million Dollar Band, all followed by the lighting of the bonfire.

Who: The event will be hosted by The Homecoming Executive Committee, and is free and open to all students.

When: Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.

Where: The Quad

Why: Frank Benckart, the executive director of the Homecoming Committee, explained the importance of the traditional pep rally and bonfire. 

“The pep rally and bonfire have always been kind of the big traditions,” Benckart said. “That’s where we get a lot of our alumni participation and people coming back. I think the biggest thing is that a lot of these alumni only come for homecoming; it’s them coming back to remember their home and their time here at UA.”

Benckart explained that although other Homecoming events are constrained by the size of the building they’re held in, the pep rally and bonfire don’t have that problem.

“The whole week includes events with limited participation and I think the pep rally and bonfire are great because anyone can come,” he said. “They don’t require any money or a ticket. The event is just a way of supporting the University, surrounded by fellow UA family.”