The long-standing tradition of the Bold & Gold Homecoming Festival will make its return on Oct. 22, gathering the community for a day of celebration and games.

Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., there will be a myriad of gatherings around campus, such as a tour of the Austin E. Knowlton Center, Zeta Tau Alpha open house and the breakfast for the Greek Life programming board.

The Bold and Gold Homecoming Parade, which features Baldwin Wallace’s marching band and several other campus groups, begins at 11 a.m.

Along with various campus organizations, the homecoming court members will also be a part of the parade. The 2022 Baldwin Wallace University homecoming court consists of two juniors and 10 seniors.

The court includes: Geneviéve Carreño, Ayah Zureiqat, Izzy Andrews, Alex Baker, Leslie Bell, Grant Cordle, Hannah Dick, Alaina LaManna, Kinzer Manning, Kaylee McKee, Austin Watkins and Julie Wetzel.

Carreño, a junior arts management major, said that being on the court is exciting because it is a chance for the selected students to be recognized for their involvement and school pride. Carreño’s involvement on campus extends to over five student groups.

Carreño recounted last year’s parade, when the Spanish and Latinx Student Association had a car on the parade route.

“It was so fun and such a moment of pride in my culture and my heritage,” Carreño said,

Zureiqat, a junior chemistry major and court honoree, said that she’s excited to take part the parade and to receive a sash for being on the court. She has attended the parade before, and she said that her favorite parts of the festival in past years were the snow-cone station and photo booth.

The homecoming festival is not only a celebration of school pride; it also serves as a friendly competition among various student organizations. The award for best float last year went to the Outdoor Adventure Club and the best banner award went to the Inter-Residence Hall Council.

After the games, the Breezer’s Cup will be awarded to the group that shows the most school pride and spirit. Last year, the Breezer’s Cup was given to the Rotaract club.

McKee, president of the Rotaract club and senior Spanish and public health double major, said that it is not all about winning.

“Winning is great, but it was a really good time,” McKee said.

McKee said that Rotaract signed up for all of the homecoming activities because the club wanted to be heavily involved in the events of the day.

In addition to the parade, two sporting events taking place on campus will pit BW against Otterbein University.

The Yellow Jacket football team will take on Otterbein at 2 p.m. in George Finne Stadium. The stadium will also host a women’s soccer match between the two schools at 7 p.m.