As Penn State gears up for the annual Homecoming weekend, many students forget what the event means and why it is celebrated for an entire week.

"The goal of Homecoming is to unite the students, alumni and community with Penn State pride," said Tara Dulaney, overall chair of Homecoming.

Dulaney said the Homecoming committee is focusing on getting more clubs and people of different backgrounds to participate.

There will be a cultural "extravaganza" Saturday evening at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. The event will include a fashion show and a jazz performance.

Erin Bainbridge, Homecoming spokeswoman, said this year's celebration will uphold traditions from the past and start new ones. The events this year are aimed at attracting a broader array of student organizations -- not just fraternities and sororities.

"It's not just for one group of people, it's for everyone," Bainbridge said.

Some new students aren't completely aware of the purpose of Homecoming.

Jenelle Ostrowski (junior-civil engineering) transferred to Penn State this fall after attending a smaller college in Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). SWE and the fraternity Tau Epsilon Phi, 328 E. Foster Ave., are collaborating to build a float for the Homecoming parade this year.

"I don't even know what Homecoming is," Ostrowski said. "All I know is that I heart Penn State and I get to pomp the hell out of our float."

Jennifer Silberstein (sophomore-accounting) and Maggie Kinsky (sophomore-business) aren't involved in most of the Homecoming celebrations, but they still enjoy the parade and the massive amounts of people that descend on the downtown area to view the colorful floats.

"It's crazy to see all the people," said Kinsky. "Like, the whole school is out there."

Silberstein said she plans on celebrating Homecoming "[the] same as I do every weekend except I go to the parade."

Some students don't get caught up in the school spirit during Homecoming week.

"I'm not that jazzed about Homecoming. It's just an excuse for students to get drunk and watch football," said David Deavers (junior-math and physics).

Bill Lippert (senior-marketing and journalism) is vice president of the Penn State Baseball Club said he and his teammates take pride in putting on Penn State uniforms all the time, but Homecoming is a time to showcase different groups on campus. Lippert will be on the club's float in the parade.

"It's good for the town and good for the school," Lippert said.