theWORD
The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, October 27, 2021
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Homecoming’s impact on the community MADISON LONG
theWORD Lead Reporter molong1@aggies.ncat.edu
It is no secret that ‘Aggie Pride’ is alive and well on our campus and in any space where an Aggie resides. The phrase ‘Aggie Pride’ exceeds beyond the bounds of school spirit and culture because it is boosted by the communal support of the Greensboro area. The last Greatest Homecoming On Earth (GHOE) occurred in the Fall of 2019. The News & Record reported that GHOE generated more than $9 million dollars in tourist revenue to the city of Greensboro not just that year but every year. According to the Rhino Times of
Greensboro, The homecoming attendance each year exceeds 100,000. The lofty tourist revenue is consistent with this attendance because 100,000 people need somewhere to stay, somewhere to eat and somewhere to park. Since the university has returned to full capacity, housing is filled, lines are long and parking is scarce. The addition of over 100,000 people will definitely contribute to the monetary boost to the city. However, the current challenges are also amplified due to capacity. Student-Artist, Brandon Perry, A senior at N.C. A&T, expressed that he looks forward to seeing the amazing work for sale during and in between events. Art vending is a prominent as-
pect of GHOE that has been preserved since the earliest GHOE. “There are vendors for everything during GHOE whether it’s a food truck or art vendor,” Perry said. “My first GHOE, I woke up to the smell of grilled food.” Annually, the city of Greensboro hosts the Vendor’s Festival. This is an opportunity for vendors and visitors to engage in the buying and selling of arts and crafts and memorable Aggie pieces. Vending and restaurants are a large generator of economic increase during GHOE. The vending typically occurs through food trucks like Off the Hook, Big C’s Chicken and Waffles. These
two restaurants surrounding the local downtown area also experience a great surge of incoming customers during this time. Despite the crowds, inconveniences, and prices, the challenging aspects of homecoming are drowned out by all the memorable experiences and pride that engulfs each Aggie and visitor. People travel from all over the country to be a part of a collective celebration of history, perseverance and fortitude. Participants admire the enthusiasm that oozes from the accomplishments of the University and its continued growth. Nothing beats the Greatest Homecoming on Earth!
THEN from page 6
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experience during the Fall of 1992. Tapp sang in the gospel choir with renowned gospel artist, Hezekiah Walker and vividly remembers watching Naughty by Nature perform at the homecoming concert that year. “It was mind-blowing to see all this energy in one place,” Tapp said. “The parade was my favorite part. Seeing the royal court show off their beauty and majesty mixed with their excellence and leadership.” In Tapp’s Junior year, he was “Mr. Air Force ROTC” during GHOE. He shared that he had a more shy personality during those years, but GHOE helped him to rise above it. “Homecoming is just surreal to say the least,” Tapp said. “Especially for people who may be a little shy or not in leadership, GHOE allows everybody to engage in something.” The last thing Tapp mentioned was about change. He noted that the biggest difference between GHOE now and GHOE then is that it is so much better now. “GHOE used to be an event, now it is an experience,” Tapp said. “The University has grown so much in size and artistry it’s nothing like it used to be.” The global pandemic shifted the tide in our school’s culture and left the class of 2021 without a GHOE. However, those who did experience GHOE in 2019 look back at it now and value it even more than they already did. Student-Artist, Brandon Perry, detailed the cultural impact of GHOE and how his freshman year experience prepared for future homecomings. “I woke up to the sound of Old School Jams and the smell of a cookout at 7 a.m. in Cooper Hall,” Perry said. “I love how GHOE is really just a big family reunion.” Whether you are an old Aggie or a new Aggie, GHOE is something that you should want to be a part of, it’s the Greatest Homecoming on Earth! Be safe and enjoy yourself, and most importantly, have fun!
