Homecoming week one big party
Homecoming's generally an explosive event around the high school world, with events loaded one atop of each other.
At Glenbard East High School, they take it a step farther -- offering something few other schools provide for the traditional fall football celebration. They do fireworks at halftime.
"We time it to coincide with that last little piece of music," said Dave Wolfe, the school's assistant principal for student services.
It's a fun tradition at the Lombard school that started back in 1993 after administrators decided to move away from a homecoming bonfire. Wolfe said it's not a long display, just a little over two minutes.
Each fall, schools around the area try to devise new and unique ways of entertaining current and past students in the week leading up to the biggest football game of the season.
That might range from mock sumo-wrestling, girls' football or dressing like your favorite Chicago baseball player.
Here's a taste of what DuPage schools have on the homecoming menu this fall:
Addison Trail
Game: 7 p.m. Sept. 21
Opponent: Glenbard West
Dance: Sept. 22
Theme: "All Shook Up"
Homecoming week: Monday, Pajama Drive-in Day; Tuesday, Double Mint Twin Day; Wednesday, Class Color Day; Thursday, '50s Day; Friday, Spirit Day
Driscoll
Game: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27
Opponent: St. Edward
Dance: Today
Theme: "Sweet Home Chicago"
Homecoming week: Monday, Roll out of Bed Day; Tuesday, Cubs vs. Sox Day; Wednesday, College Day; Thursday, Help-A-Thon; Friday Driscoll Pride Day
Fenton
Game: 7 p.m. Sept. 21
Opponent: Elmwood Park
Dance: Sept. 22
Theme: "Dancing Through the Decades"
Homecoming week: Monday, Pajama, Robe and Slippers Day; Tuesday, Twin Day; Wednesday, Decade Day; Thursday; Sports Attire Day; Friday, Spirit Day
Glenbard East
Game: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5
Opponent: Glenbard North
Dance: Oct. 6
Theme: "Night on the Town"
Homecoming week: Monday, Sport Shirt Day, 6 p.m. dodgeball; Tuesday, Pajama Day, 7 p.m. WWEAST Sumo Smackdown; Wednesday, Class Color Day, 7 p.m. powder puff game; Thursday, Crazy Individuality Day; Friday, Ram Pride Day
Glenbard North
Game: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12
Opponent: Naperville Central
Dance: Oct. 13
Theme: "Hopelessly Devoted"
Homecoming week: Tuesday, Pajama Day; Wednesday, Stoplight Day; Thursday, '50s Day; Friday, Black and Gold Day. The girls' powder puff game is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a bonfire.
Factoid: A "Superfan" is chosen from among students and gets to pick two friends to enjoy the game from a sofa on the sidelines.
Glenbard South
Game: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5
Opponent: Yorkville
Dance: Oct. 6
Theme: "A Night on the Town"
Homecoming week: Monday, 7 p.m. Games Night; Wednesday, hallway decorating; Thursday, 5 p.m. booster barbecue
Factoid: During spirit week, the class officers will pick the best-dressed male and female student in each grade based on daily theme days. Those winners will then appear in costume during the pep rally, along with the best theme-dressed male and female teacher.
Glenbard West
Game: 1 p.m. Saturday
Opponent: York
Dance: Saturday
Theme: "Come Fly With Me"
Homecoming week: The pep rally starts at 6 p.m. Friday in the Biester Gym and is followed by a bonfire at Duchon Field. The homecoming parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Elm and Main streets in Glen Ellyn, proceeds south on Main Street to Crescent Boulevard, then ends at the school.
Lake Park
Game: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5
Opponent: Streamwood
Dance: Oct. 6
Theme: "Bella Notte"
Homecoming week: Monday, Chicago Sports Fan Day, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Homecoming Olympics at East Campus gym; Tuesday, Clash Day; Wednesday, Class Colors Day, 6 p.m. girls' powder puff football at West Campus stadium (proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation); Thursday, Italian Spirit Day; Friday, Blue and White Day, with homecoming parade at 3:30 p.m. from Waterbury School to West Campus.
Factoid: Lake Park started a king/queen of the couch competition this year. Seniors showing the most school spirit will earn field-side seats on a couch at the game.
Montini Catholic
Game: 7:30 p.m. today
Opponent: Immaculate Conception
Dance: Saturday
Theme: "Casino Myst'ere"
Homecoming week: Monday, 9:30 a.m. Mass, Celebrity Dress-up Day, girls volleyball vs. St. Francis; Tuesday, Glitz and Glamour Dress-Up Day; Wednesday, Bronco Skyline Stampede Walk-a-thon, girls volleyball vs. Aurora Central Catholic; Thursday, Class Color Day, sixth-grade field day; Friday, "Clue" game, Dress Up Day
St. Francis
Game: Sept. 22
Opponent: Aurora Central Catholic
Dance: Sept. 22
Theme: "My Generation"
Homecoming week: Monday, My Music; Teams Tuesday; Wanna Be Wednesday; Throwback Thursday; Friday, Spirit and Pride Day, powder puff game.
West Chicago
Game: 7:30 p.m. today
Opponent: Glenbard North
Dance: Saturday
Theme: The Seasons
Factoid: This year freshmen will signify spring; sophomores are fall; juniors are winter; and seniors are summer.
Wheaton North
Game: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Opponent: Glenbard East
Dance: Saturday
Theme: "When in Rome…"
Homecoming week: Monday, Pajama Day; Tuesday, Cubs vs. White Sox Day; Wednesday, Toga Day; Thursday, College Apparel Day; Friday, Spirit Day
Factoid: The team's record is 48-42 during nine years under head coach Matt Foster.
Wheaton Warrenville South
Game: 7:30 p.m. today
Opponent: West Aurora
Dance: Saturday
Theme: Disney
Homecoming week: Monday, Colors Day; Tuesday, Rock Star Day; Wednesday, Superhero Day; Thursday, Favorite Disney Character Day; Friday, Spirit Day.
Factoid: The Tigers are the reigning and defending Class 8A football champions.
Willowbrook
Game: Sept. 14
Opponent: Downers Grove South
Dance: Sept. 15
Theme: "Under the Sea"
Homecoming week: Monday, Chicago Sports Day; Tuesday, College Day; Wednesday, Band Day, powder puff game; Thursday, Nautical Day; Friday, Willowbrook Spirit Day.
Wheaton Academy
Football game: 1 p.m. Oct 6 at Wheaton College
Opponent: Chicago Christian
Soccer game: 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at Wheaton Academy
Opponent: Marmion Academy
Homecoming week: Oct. 1-6
Factoid: This year the Wheaton Academy Warriors will play their first varsity game since 1989. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Warriors' last undefeated season in 1957.