Originally deemed 'fall frolic' Homecoming turns 91
This weekend, Franklin will celebrate its 91st Homecoming weekend. Homecoming celebrations have been around since 1919 when the college held its first one, originally called the ‘fall frolic.’ When they decided to have it again the next year, the tradition was born. Homecoming is much more than just a football game. The Hail to Franklin Dinner has been around since at least 1935 on the Saturday night after the football game. Homecoming is also a time for fun games and activities. This year features women’s alumni soccer and volleyball games as well as a faculty/staff flag football game against Franklin students – a tradition that started in 2007. But a look into the college’s archives shows an array of events to mark the weekend. In 1938, there was a tug-of-war battle between the freshman and sophomore class. In 1980 there was a kite flying competition. An alumni field hockey game was also a main staple of the homecoming agenda for many years, but has since been replaced by the soccer and volleyball games. This year will feature fireworks on Friday night. Perhaps the most unusual of the homecoming festivities was Lambda Chi Alpha’s Watermelon Bust in the 1970s. Teams competed in several events involving watermelons, such as seed spitting contests, watermelon relay races and a watermelon tossing competition, similar to a water-balloon toss except with giant, ripe fruit. Homecoming is a weekend steeped in tradition. This weekend - as Franklin College Homecoming turns 91 - old traditions will continue, new traditions will be made and the history will carry on.
