Celebrations, fun mark Homecoming day
The sounds of Credence Clearwater Revival competed against Taylor Swift for listeners as cheerleaders cheered, barbeque was chowed down and young kids ran around with balloon animals in hand.
And that was just a fraction of the sights and sounds happening at Homecoming 2017.
Hundreds of people, from students in cut-away t-shirts and shorts to alums wearing belted trousers, enjoyed great weather, good food, rides, booths, tattoos and generational music Saturday in Parking Lot 13 before the festivities headed inside the Pyramid for the annual Long Beach State basketball game.
The men’s basketball team, with nine new players, capped off a two-day celebration with an 87-71 victory against Cal State Dominquez Hills in its final preseason tune-up. The Beach opens regular-season play Friday at University of San Francisco.
Homecoming 2017 began Friday with a salute to the newest class of Golden Grads, who gathered for the annual reunion that pays tribute to those alumni who graduated 50-plus years ago and contributed to building the foundation of the university.
On Saturday, the Golden Grad Society members were treated to a tour of the Earl Miller Japanese Gardens and then joined the festivities outside, where they were able to listen to old favorites sung by The Emperors or tap their feet to the music provided by 22 West Media and cuisine from two food trucks or the VIP tent.
President Jane Close Conoley and her husband, Dr. Collie W. Conoley, strolled through the parking lot to meet with other attendees and check out the Sizzler, a new carnival attraction. They did not line up for a ride, instead headed to the Pyramid, where they joined a fired-up crowd of 4,227.
At halftime, Conoley ushered in the newest crop of President’s Scholars, who were introduced to the crowd. Fans also got to meet Brandon Silva and Nataly Delgadillo, who were elected 2017 Homecoming king and queen, and experience the Courtside Sandbar. The Courtside Sand Bar gives VIP guests a great view of the action from beyond the baseline, but also premium food and drinks.
