Texas A&M University-Commerce will be celebrating their annual bonfire on Friday Oct. 19 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Students worked Tuesday and Wednesday of this week to push together brush for the center of the bonfire and added pallets around the sides to comprise the centerpiece of this event.
Students will be gathering on the east side of Whitley Hall on the band practice field to celebrate this Homecoming tradition.
Although A&M-C’s bonfire is not as big as the one at Texas A&M University-College Station, it is something that has been “a long-standing tradition” for A&M-C as well. Shelly Matikiewicz, assistant director of the Morris Recreation Center said.
“Last year there were 600 to 700 students that attended and we are expecting more this year with attendance in the athletic events have gone up. We hope that there will be more blue and gold spirit participants this year,” said Matikiewicz.
The University band will be performing at 7:45 p.m. to start off the night. The athletic team and cheerleaders will be there along with the Homecoming court.
The entertainment for the event will consist of two DJ’s from Dallas, alumni Donovan Lewis and Kevin Andrews. Undergraduates Rachel Redding and Amber Ramoz will be helping with the music.
Student organizations will have a spirit competition, including a creative banner contest. First place winner will receive $200, second place will be rewarded $100 and third place will receive $50.
The banner will be hung near the bonfire and winners announced at the event.
The Commerce fire and police departments will be there to supervise. The fire chief and fire martial will monitor how close students get to the fire and make sure everyone in attendance stays a safe distance.
University President Keith McFarland will be lighting the bonfire this year at his last Homecoming before retiring at the end of next Spring.
Students may show their school spirit by purchasing T-shirts for $6 from the recreation center and the student center.
“We encourage everyone to come out and show school spirit and support the athletic teams,” Matikiewicz said.