Erica Miller, a junior graphic communications major, can hardly wait to get a pie hefted in her face for homecoming this year. Her sorority, the Kappa Beta Gammas, is holding an event called “Kream a Kappa” at the Block Party, which is an annual homecoming event that takes place before the football game.

“I think they’ve done a good job promoting homecoming this year, so I think people will get much more into it. The events this year seem bigger and more exciting than last year,” Miller said.

The Block Party is just one listing on a full roster of homecoming activities. Special Events Coordinator Ellie Luce anticipates a higher turnout at this year’s homecoming events than from last year, she said. This year’s theme, “Dynamic Duos,” will be present in some form at all the homecoming events. For example, homecoming queen and king candidates must wear a costume representing this theme in some way at the king and queen competition.

The Spirit Police are a new addition to this year’s homecoming festivities. A squadron of Spirit Police Officers will patrol campus and issue tickets to students clad in the schools’ green and gold colors. About 15 members of the special events committee volunteered for duty and will be uniformed in neon green T-shirts. The tickets are redeemable for homecoming gear, including T-shirts and cups.

“The Spirit Police gives people an opportunity to get homecoming information and T-shirts ahead of everyone else and just get [campus] in the mood for homecoming. You can’t miss this year’s neon green promotional service,” Luce said.

Homecoming kicks off with the Dead River Games from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30. Events include the ice cream scoop game, an obstacle course, sand castle construction and the egg toss. Participants are encouraged to incorporate the “Dynamic Duos” theme into events such as the sand castle contest, Luce said.

“I just think it’s a really fun time. There’s not a lot of places where you can play around in the sand or throw ice cream. As college kids, we need that break,” Luce said.

Luce said she expects about 300 students to attend the king and queen competition at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3 in the Great Lakes Rooms. The competition features comedian Alexandra McHale. She has made appearances on Comedy Central’s show “Premium Blend” and is a commentator on VH1’s “I Love the 80’s.” McHale will entertain the crowd while the judges deliberate the homecoming king and queen winners. Luce said she is finalizing a panel of faculty and staff to serve as judges for both the king and queen competition and for the parade.

Jeremy Bubb, senior construction management major and president of the Northern Michigan Constructors, said he participates in the parade every year. The parade will be held Friday, Oct. 5 and starts in the Superior Dome parking lot. Last year, the club used decorations of recognizable buildings from around the world to fit last year’s “Around the World” theme.

“Typically, we pretty much just participate in the float building — that’s our marquee event. We put all our efforts into our float . we try to be innovative,” Bubb said.

For $1, block party attendees can cream Miller, along with other Kappa Beta Gammas, with pies. The “Kream a Kappa” event is a fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation and is one of the activities at the Block Party, which runs from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6. The culinary arts students of NMU will run a “mocktails” table. Every year, they prepare and serve nonalcoholic drinks for party attendees, said Jennifer Hoffman, who is in charge of the CAS homecoming events and is a junior hospitality management major. To incorporate the “Dynamic Duos” theme, CAS will provide two kinds of drinks: a Shirley Temple and one named “Very Berry Very Nice.”

The football game follows the block party with kickoff at 4 p.m. The homecoming party will conclude the week’s festivities and lasts from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Great Lakes Rooms. NMU’s Black Student Union will sponsor the event.

“I’m going to go to as many homecoming events as my schedule will let me. I can’t wait to go with my sisters and spread NMU spirit,” Miller said.