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theWORD

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, October 27, 2021 7

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 fi lled, lines are long and parking is scarce. The addition of over 100,000 people will defi nitely contribute to the monetary boost to the city. However, the current challenges are also amplifi ed 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 aspect 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 fi rst 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 Waffl es. 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!

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THEN from page 6

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!

theSCENE theSCENE

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Through the Decades Fashion Show - Monday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. - Corbett Sports Center Verge, Couture and other fashion troupes will be performing a fashion showcase for homecoming hosted by the Council of Presidents (COP). The homecoming fashion show dates back to the ‘90s, and this year, the showcase will feature fashion from six decades. The fashion show is open for students to participate or watch. Tickets for the event are $7.

Preview of Events

Nakylah Carter theScene Editor nmcarter4@aggies.ncat.edu

Hip-Hop Concert - Wednesday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. - Greensboro Coliseum

One of the most anticipated events is making a return to the 2021 GHOE event line-up. The hip-hop concert includes Roddy Rich, Moneybagg Yo and Ty Dolla Sign to headline the show. There will be special guest appearances from Flip Dinero and Erica Banks. Tickets start at $79.50 for general admission, and discounted tickets for students are $69.50.

Back to Zen Morning Yoga/ Meditation - Wednesday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m. - Academic Quad

This fi rst-time GHOE event will take place early in the morning and outdoors to give students time to unwind, meditate and become zen. This event is free and open to the students who register on 1891 Connect. Students who attend will be entered into a raffl e to get the chance to receive a free yoga mat.

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, October 27, 2021 9

Step Show “Comeback Season” - Friday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. - Greensboro Coliseum The annual homecoming Step Show presented by the Offi ce of Fraternity and Sorority Engagement returns to the Greensboro Coliseum with their showcase entitled “Comeback Season.” The Step Show has been a homecoming event for GHOE dating back to the early ‘90s. Tickets for general admission are $22, and the discounted tickets are $17.

Homecoming Playlist

Swag Surfi n’ - F.L.Y. - Fast Life Yungstaz Rollin - G Herbo

Coronation of Mister & Miss A&T - Sunday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. - Corbett Sports Center Coronation is the offi cial crowning of Mister and Miss N.C. A&T. This ceremony dates back to before World War II and is a staple on N.C. A&T’s campus. The coronation is free and open to the students on campus to come and witness the passing of royalty from the previous year’s Mister and Miss to this year’s Mister and Miss A&T.

Comeback to Aggieland Game Night - Tuesday, Oct. 26, 5 p.m. - Academic Quad This event will be hosted on campus, free and open to all students. There will be bowling, trivia, a photo booth and many games for everyone to enjoy.

Homecoming Football Game - Saturday, Oct. 30, 1 p.m. - Truist Stadium

The Homecoming Football Game is one of the most anticipated events during homecoming week. This year, N.C. A&T will be facing Monmouth University in the Big South Conference. Vendors will not be allowed on campus but are allowed at the War Memorial, and tailgating on-site. It is important to arrive early to get parking and good seats due to the many alumni and students.

The Greatest Homecoming on Earth (GHOE) is back in Aggieland. This year, the Student Government Association (SGA) and Student University Activities Board (SUAB) brought together a roster of events and entitled this homecoming “Comeback Szn.” For all homecoming events, masks will be required at all times. Verifi cation of the completion of a COVID-19 vaccination within two weeks before the event or negative test results within 72-hours of the event will be required.

Pep Rally - Truist Stadium - Thursday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. This year’s homecoming pep rally will be held at Truist Stadium, unlike previous years. Usually, the pep rally occurs in Corbett Sports Center. The location change was made to accommodate COVID-19 protocols and the number of students and alumni who will be present. There will be performances by student artists here at N.C. A&T and a special guest performance.

Gospel Show “Festival of Praise” - Sunday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m. - Greensboro Coliseum The Gospel Concert will be held on Halloween this homecoming season. Entitled “Festival of Praise,” the concert will feature some of gospel’s favorite artists including, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Anthony Brown and Koryn Hawthorne.

NC

AT SH OW CA SE campus. This will be their third annual roadshow, their second annual show happened in 2019, their theme was “Voices of Aggie Generations.” By Jamille Whitlow, Managing Editor jwhitlow@aggies.ncat.edu The F.D. Bluford Library celebrated the building’s 30 years of being on-campus, the library contains four levels, 144,000 square feet and values at $16 million. Prior to the current building, The A&Tiques Roadshow is a showcase of Aggie memories where alumni and outsiders can visit to enjoy the history of N.C. A&T’s the library used to be in Dudley Hall. “Before, the fi rst Bluford library in 1955, the library was on the top fl oor of the current Dudley building,” James Stewart, a Bluford Library Archivist said. This year will host a ‘show and tell’ of limited historical items about N.C. A&T. To keep people safe, the exhibit is open to anyone who can come at any time instead of having a set time to meet. The Roadshow will take place on the fi rst-fl oor reference area and the second-fl oor display cases. The Roadshow this year will be from Oct. 28Oct. 29 but scheduled guided tours are available to N.C. A&T Alumni, faculty, staff and students at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Apple Music

Spotify Dreams and Nightmares - Meek Mill Before I Let Go (Homecoming Live Bonus)- Beyonce

Before I Let Go - Maze Take Yo Man - City Girls

Let It Go (feat. Missy Elliot & Lil ‘Kim)- Keyshia Cole Wipe Me Down - Lil Boosie . Webbie and Foxx Set It Off - Lil Boosie

Grove St. Party (feat Kebo Gotti) - Waka Flocka Flame

Round of Applause (feat. Drake) - Waka Flocka Flame

Knuck If You Buck - Crime Mob Walk Around the Club - Treal Lee & Prince Rick

Scotty - D4L O Let’s Do It - Waka Flocka

I Think I Love Her - Gucci Mane Down For My N****z (feat. Snoop Dogg) - C-Murder No Flockin - Kodak Black

Rock Yo Hips (feat Lil Scrappy) - Crime Mob No Heart - 21 Savage & Metro Boomin

Freak No More - Migos Preach - Young Dolph

Then Leave (feat. Queendome Come) - Beatking

Back That Azz Up - Juvenile I Bet U Won’t - Mouse and Level

Everybody Mad - O.T. Genasis On Deck - Gucci Mane Gun N Bells - Q Da Fool

Welcome to the Party - Pop Smoke Dior - Pop Smoke Faneto - Chief Keef