Homecoming 2007 began last night at the Cell Block, 420 E. College Ave., with the Raise the Song Band Bash.
The Band Bash initiated the homecoming events, which are expected to bring an influx of thousands to State College. The festivities will continue through Saturday's game against Wisconsin at 3:30 p.m., where the committees and the courts will be featured at halftime.
The show, which began at 10 p.m., consisted of three bands, Sweetbriar, Strike of the Heart and Lucky For Me, that performed for a crowd of homecoming committees, spirit point seekers and fans. The bands were chosen out of about 20 that applied, said Darian Leib (senior-elementary education), the homecoming special events overall.
The manager of the band Lucky For Me, Eleni Psaltis (sophomore-public relations), was there cheering for her band. She became the band's manager through a series of events and band member changes, and said she had gotten the band into the competition at the Cell Block last night. As of press time, the winner had not been announced.
Autumne Shannon (senior-advertising and human development and family studies), the homecoming public relations overall, said the winner of the "battle of the bands" competition last night won the opportunity to perform at the Interfraternity Council/ Panhellenic Dance Marathon in 2008.
The event had a $3 cover charge, two dollars of which went to the Centre Volunteers in Medicine, an area philanthropy.
The entertainment captains for Thon judged the competition, which was open to all ages.
Today at 1 p.m., current and former Penn Staters will have the opportunity to meet football legend, former Nittany Lion and Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris. He is serving as this year's Homecoming Grand Marshall, and will be at Hintz Family Alumni Center for the homecoming Ice Cream Social at 1 p.m.
The festivities continue this evening at 6 p.m. with the annual homecoming parade. The route for the colorfully 'pomped' floats begins at East Halls and then continues down to College Avenue.
After making their way through the crowds, the homecoming court will meet at Old Main for the King and Queen Coronation ceremony at 8 p.m., which will combine forces with a pep rally for the game tomorrow.
After the king and queen get their crowns tonight, another homecoming tradition will take place further up on campus.
The Lion Shrine has been safely guarded on homecoming weekends for more than 40 years, since Sue Paterno first painted it in 1966, according to the Penn State homecoming Web site. "Guard the Lion Shrine" will begin at 10 p.m.
