Over the decades, Hood has celebrated many events in the fall, with picnics, parties, initiations, dances, and Halloween activities. One of Hood’s most treasured traditions, Campus Day, took place in mid-October every year from 1920-1991. Family and friends were invited to watch the students perform their songs and skits on Campus Day and other weekend activities were created to entertain the students’ families. When Campus Day fizzled as a unique event after 1991, other fall festivities quickly filled the void. In 1992, the weekend was called the “first annual” Campus Day/Homecoming Weekend; this event continued the song competition of Campus Day but added new events for students and their families, such as an ice cream party, carriage rides, a volleyball game, and receptions. Seniors loved the event so much they looked forward to coming back as alumni.
Over the next several years, the event changed names several times, but it remained consistent in focus; there was always a focus on family and fun. Explanations of the evolution are contradictory, but the 1995 Touchstone states that this was the year when Campus Day Weekend transitioned into Homecoming Weekend and Mother/Daughter Weekend transitioned into Family Weekend. What is certainly clear is that two beloved traditions were replaced with traditions with a modern twist, and they were eventually merged into one single weekend, the Fall Family/Homecoming Weekend.
Fall Family Weekends are held to bring families and alumni on campus to watch athletic events, attend exhibits, food, drink, dancing, and other festivities. Cheering on Hood athletics is a highlight. And one year, in 2001, a mechanical bull actually made an entrance to the Barn Dance held that weekend! The entire Hood community is now involved in this festive weekend–faculty, staff, alumni, students, family and friends.
