This year, the Special Events Committee has centered Homecoming Week around the theme, “Inside the Game.” The first week will feature a variety of events, such as the Dead River Games, the Scavenger Hunt, the Stepping Competition and the King and Queen Competition.

Dead River Games

These games will consist of four events: the Ice Cream Scoop which will require participants to catch ice cream scoops in their mouths, the Obstacle Course, the Egg Toss and the Sand Sculpture Competition.

“The Dead River Games are high-energy, fun and most of the time, messy. The Ice Cream Scoop is just as much fun to watch as it is to participate in,” said Lizzie Corser, a junior public relations major and the Special Events coordinator.

This year’s Dead River Games will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. They are held at the Dead River Bridge near the entrance to Presque Isle Park. Check-in begins at 1:30 p.m.

Scavenger Hunt

Students participating in the scavenger hunt will be dismissed to search for items at 7 p.m. from the Great Lakes Rooms and will return at 9 p.m. for point tallying. According to Corser, the objects that participants will be searching for this year will be related to the homecoming theme, “Inside the Game.”

“This is one of my favorite activities that we organize. I participated in it as a freshman and it will always hold a fond place in my memory,” Corser said.

The scavenger hunt will take place on Monday, Sept. 21 and participants are expected to register at 6 p.m.

Stepping Competition

Groups of students will be performing step routines to compete for first, second or third place. In addition, the audience can expect to see emceeing group PPI perform and entertain at the event. TCF bank will also be at the event providing cash prizes for the winners and will bring the cash vault to give spectators a chance to win some money as well.

The Stepping Competition will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Jamrich 102 at 7 p.m.

King and Queen Competition

This event allows students to vote for Homecoming King and Queen. It requires participants to compete in theme wear and semi-formal wear categories. After this section, the audience will pick the best 10 participants (five queens, five kings) and they will move on to the Question and Answer Category. The contestants will be judged by a panel consisting of NMU administration, faculty and staff based on their poise, their answers and the audience’s reaction. Comedian Amy Schumer will be emceeing the competition.

“This competition is one of those events that carries over from high school, so both new and returning students will be familiar with it. It’s a great opportunity for student organizations to unify in support of their candidate,” said Corser.

The King and Queen Competition will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Great Lakes Rooms.