Week of homecoming events planned.

This year’s homecoming king and queen have competition – from another king and queen in Thompson Point.

Point Pride, a week of events sponsored by the Thompson Point Executive Council, begins today with a barbecue from 6 to 8 p.m. between Smith and Warren Halls. It is also the first day of voting for Thompson Point royalty.

Point Pride replaces Octoberfest, which was formerly sponsored in Thompson Point. TPEC vice president Vanessa Granger said the council wanted to come up with a way to promote school spirit throughout Thompson Point. The group has never had an active part in homecoming activities, so TPEC members saw this as an opportunity for change.

“We’re trying to expand things doing here and do things on a larger scale,” she said.

Granger said the barbecue was a good starting point because it was a simple way to get residents out to vote for Thompson Point king and queen.

“It’s a great way for people to socialize, vote, grab something to eat and then go back to doing their homework or whatever,” she said.

The week’s events will culminate with a block party throughout all of Thompson Point from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Various DJs from around Thompson Point, playing a variety of music, will be stationed throughout the area.

Ryan Mulvaney, TPEC president, said he expects the biggest turnout of the week during the block party, which features free music, food and games.

Each individual hall is responsible for supplying a game as well as food in hopes there will be a diverse range of activities available.

“We wanted to bring everyone together and get the halls involved in hall council so they can have a part in the homecoming event,” said Lea Ruholl, a sophomore in radiology from Effingham and TPEC secretary.

TPEC will also enter a float in the Homecoming Parade for the first time in several years. Anyone interested in participating in float building should come to float night on Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. outside Bailey Hall as participants are provided free root beer floats.

“The parade is one of biggest things on campus; every large RSO has a float in it,” said Mulvaney, a junior in mathematics from Oak Park. “Thompson Point is a big part of SIU, and it’s important to show that we have school spirit.”

Mulvaney said the council decided to bring float-building back to make TPEC a known presence on campus. More than 1,200 students live in Thompson Point, making it an important part of SIUC.

TPEC is also sponsoring movie night and “So You Want To Be A Rock Star” from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Free popcorn will be available as students watch “The Breakfast Club” Thursday night in front of Boyer Hall. Mulvaney said the movie is a classic that almost everybody should recognize.

“We wanted to show a movie that people would enjoy and would come out of their rooms to see,” he said.

King and queen of Thompson Point will also be announced during “So You Want To Be A Rock Star,” co-sponsored by Digi Dawg Records Friday night outside of Old Phase cul-de-sac. The king and queen will ride on the homecoming float during the parade Saturday.

Thompson Point residents will also be able to participate in face painting and sign making before the game Saturday.

Mulvaney said Point Pride is an excellent opportunity for students to get together and have a good time while exhibiting Saluki spirit. He said TPEC is hoping for good participation in Point Pride’s initial year. He said the organization implemented the program to promote Saluki spirit throughout the Thompson Point area.

“It’s going to be an excellent week,” he said. “Not only does it promote unity, but it gets TPEC’s name out throughout SIU.”

Reporter Katie A. Davis can be reached at [email protected]