Scenes from ASU Homecoming 2015

From mad dashes to mad-fun parties, Sun Devils are celebrating in style

Juan Oliveras, a junior studying art, jams on the vibraphone as he and around 820 ASU Marching Band members and alumni play during halftime as ASU plays the University of Washington on Saturday, Nov. 14. ASU defeated the Huskies, 27-17. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now

November 14, 2015

Sun Devil spirit is alive and well year-round at Arizona State University, but Homecoming turns that up a notch.

From carnivals to comedy shows, from dances to the time-honored Lantern Walk up "A" Mountain, this week is full of events for students, alumni and families.

Wide receiver D.J. Foster pushes for extra yardage against the Washington defense. Photo by Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now

Saturday's Homecoming parade and block party offered fun and plenty of goodies for participants. See inside three of the booths in this video, and scroll down for photos from the entire week's festivities.

Find more information at the official Homecoming site.

Interdisciplinary arts and performance sophomore Ivelisse Chaug (left) and forensic science junior Nicole Boyer stretch and warm up before Sparky's Challenge 5K/10K run on ASU's West campus Nov. 8. Sparky's Challenge and the carnival that followed marked the start of ASU's Homecoming week festivities.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Runners take off during the start of the Sparky's Challenge 10K.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Little Valentina Hernandez objects to taking a photo with aunt Karla Hernandez, mom Veronica Tigerino and Sparky during Sparky's Carnival at ASU's West campus Nov. 8.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Angelina Betancout tries to land a ping-pong ball in the cup at one of the many booths set up to introduce visitors to ASU during Sparky's Carnival on the West campus.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Families enjoy games, rides and food during Sparky's Carnival.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Sophomore in transborder Chicano-Latino studies Paula Hernandez dances with Sparky during Sparky's Carnival on Nov. 8.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
(From left) Criminal justice sophomore Jamie Coe, freshman psychology major Samantha Hernandez and political science freshman Corrina Williams rip up magazines to create the papier-mâché "A" Mountain on the Student Alumni Association's Homecoming float the evening of Nov. 9.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Dan Turbyfill (right), special-events manager for the Arizona State University Alumni Association, and biomedical engineering freshman Parker Storry put together the base of the Student Alumni Association homecoming float on Nov. 9.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Dan Turbyfill cracks a smile behind a sheet of chicken wire being used to build a replica of "A" Mountain on the Student Alumni Association float.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
(From left) Health education and promotion sophomore Gregory Nairn, Dan Turbyfill and biomedical engineering freshman Parker Storry work together as the base of the Student Alumni Association homecoming float begins to develop.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
A view of the Golden Gala Homecoming Dance at Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix on Nov. 10.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Programming and Activities Board vice president and junior criminal justice major Tiffany Marcum invites students outside to the Golden Gala Homecoming Dance on ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus Nov. 10.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Corina Tapscott (left) and Becca Smouse represent the Downtown Phoenix campus' Homecoming court Nov. 10.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Students dance at the Golden Gala Homecoming Dance at Civic Space Park on Nov. 10.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Sparky isn't afraid to bust a move onstage at the Golden Gala Homecoming Dance.

Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Members of the 1975 Sun Devils football team received T-shirts commemorating their accomplishments, at the annual Legends Luncheon at the Marriott Tempe at the Buttes, Friday, Nov. 13. Members of the 1975 Sun Devil team that went undefeated were honored, as was linebacker Bob Breunig, who was recently selected to be in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Former ASU and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White signs his name for Franco Breunig at the annual Legends Luncheon. Breunig is a nephew of former ASU and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bob Breunig, who was recently selected to be in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Sun Devil 1975 team captains Mike Haynes (left) and Jim Hellig hoist the Fiesta Bowl trophy they won completing an undefeated season, with a win over Nebraska, at the Legends Luncheon.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Former Head Coach Frank Kush jokes with a couple of his former players at the Legends Luncheon.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Mascots Spirit and Sparky pose with members of the 1975 Sun Devils team, athletic director Ray Anderson, head coaches Frank Kush and Todd Graham, at the Legends Luncheon.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Bob Breunig tunes the ASU guitar he just received from Christine Wilkinson, president of the ASU Alumni Association and athletic director Ray Anderson at the Legends Luncheon.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Athletic director Ray Anderson flashes the pitchfork at the annual Legends Luncheon at the Marriott Tempe at the Buttes, Nov. 13, 2015.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Ninety-year-old Sid Glenn, player from the 1947/1948 teams greets alumni following the annual Legends Luncheon.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Members of the 1975 football team pose for group photos following the annual Legends Luncheon at the Marriott Tempe at the Buttes, Nov. 13.

Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Students dance at the base of "A" Mountain before the start of the Lantern Walk on Nov. 13 in Tempe. The tradition started in 1917 — when the university was still the Tempe Normal School — and involves student climbing "A" Mountain with small lanterns and the seniors symbolically handing the lanterns to juniors.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Student volunteers light LED lanterns before the start of the Lantern Walk, which traditionally takes place the Friday before the Homecoming game.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Students happily claim a lantern before beginning the nighttime climb up "A" Mountain.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Sparky leads the way as the ASU band heads up "A" Mountain on Nov. 13.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The lights of Tempe and the Valley beyond sparkle below as the students make their way up the mountain.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
At the top of "A" Mountain, representatives from Programming and Activities Board introduce ASU alum football player Bob Breunig. Breunig was recently selected to be in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
A symbolic candle is lit at the commencement of the Lantern Walk, one of the oldest traditions at Arizona State University.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Sparky celebrates as he lights the"A" of "A" Mountain during the Lantern Walk on Nov. 13.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
ASU students pose with a lighted pitchfork on "A" Mountain on Nov. 13 during the Lantern Walk in Tempe.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Santa greets visitors before the start of the Homecoming parade and block party in Tempe on Nov. 14. The jolly old elf was there as part of ASU Gammage's tent, which was inspired by "A Christmas Story: The Musical," which runs Nov. 24-29.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
A Sparky-headed dragon gets tested out in the staging area before the start of the Homecoming parade Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
A future Sun Devil is seen on a float in the staging area before the start of the parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
National American Miss Teen Danielle Fisher exclaims as she sees her good friend and ASU sophomore elementary education major Ashleigh Wyrybkowski before the start of the Homecoming parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Snow White and Captain America head down to the parade start line with the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk crowd Nov. 14 in Tempe.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Parade time! The Arizona State University cheerleaders help start things off down University Drive in Tempe on Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The ASU Marching Band plays the school fight song during the parade Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The undefeated football team of 1975 walks down the parade route during the Homecoming parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Members of ASU's ROTC branches march together in the parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The Arizona State University Cheer Team performs during the Homecoming parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
A wide range of university groups are represented in the parade, including the Coalition of International Students.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Floats of all designs were created for the parade, such as this one showing the changing faces of Sparky.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
All sorts of characters take part in the PBS "Nerd Walk" during the parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Students who are a part of the Respect Movement — a group that aims to build a culture of respect between men and women on high school and college campuses — march down University Drive in the Homecoming parade Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The Formula SAE team drives last year's car in the parade. The student-led group is in the process of building another car from the ground up for a national competition in June. ASU Now is following the team's progess; look for our next installment Nov. 24.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Student Alumni Association members accompany their float, a re-creation of "A" Mountain.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
A future Sun Devil watches as the Thunderbird School of Global Management marches by.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The Derby Devils skate by in the Homecoming parade Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
A parade watcher exchanges high-fives with members of the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk group.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Members of the Del E. Webb School of Construction get a ride during the Homecoming parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The 2015-2016 homecoming royalty Paige Herbert (left) and Victoria Whitaker greet the crowds during the parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Crowds fill both sides of University Drive and the bridge overhead to watch the parade.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
One of the tiniest fans flashes a pitchfork during the Homecoming parade Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
The Sun Devil Cheer squad marches along University Drive during the Homecoming Parade.

Photo by Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
After the parade, it's time for the Homecoming block party, where scores of university schools, clubs and organizations offer visitors information, goodies and interactive games. Here, the Platt family (from left) Madison, Tamara and Mitch chat with personnel at the Army ROTC booth.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Many booths had prizes for participants. Here, Janyia Cole, a student at ASU Preparatory Academy, spins the wheel for a prize at the Biodesign Institute tent.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Gotta practice that pitchfork: ASU employee Roberto Reynoso (left) helps young Ari Hart and his dad, Dan, learn the 'fork gesture at the block party Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Gaby Norzagaray and her father, Gabe Norzagaray, make a lava lamp with an oil/food-coloring mixture at the Biodesign Institute booth.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Aydin Matchett holds a small snake at the ASU Department of Animal Care and Technologies booth during the Homecoming block party in Tempe.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Avery Burroughs has an exciting ride down a bouncy slide during the Homecoming block party Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Ryan Larribas laughs as he gives out lanyards in the Future Sun Devils booth.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Palomino Intermediate School students Erik Lopez (left) and Tristen Curtis show off their Sun Devil pride at the Future Sun Devils booth — the paper helmets were popular items, spotted all over the block party.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Connor Kertesz plays jumbo-size Jenga in the booth of West campus' New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, which had a handful of fun-looking games.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Sophomore Alexandra Effio cuts a rug with her dad, Jose Effio, on University Drive during the block party Nov. 14.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Exercise and wellness freshman Treasure Hall (left) and freshman and exercise wellness Karen Santos play beanbag toss with friends on College Avenue, where a number of games were set up, including giant checkers and miniature golf.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Brittany Bosak and her dog, Lily, take a break on College Avenue during the Homecoming block party in Tempe.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Performers with the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts interact with visitors during the block party.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Jana Notah and her son, Jakob, do a word search at the English booth during the Homecoming block party.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Finance senior exchange student Naomi Tao puts a reaffirming message on the Body Project display at the Psychology booth during the block party.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Royden Kirui (center) learns how to use a pump drill at the booth of the School of Human Evolution and Social Change.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Students offer to write people's names in Japanese at the Languages and Literature booth.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
School of Life Sciences graduate research assistant Abby Finkelstein (center) laughs as she tries to locate her missing Madagascar hissing cockroach — which turned out to be up her flannel sleeve.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Oh, there's the little (big) guy: a Madagascar hissing cockroach at the School of Life Sciences booth.

Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
Two Spectrum performers walk around the ASU Homecoming block party.

Photo by Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
Members of the Sun Devil Marching Band do a performance in Wells Fargo Arena before going on to Sun Devil Stadium for ASU's Homecoming game against the University of Washington on Nov. 14.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Glenn Crawford (left) and Cedric Price, members of the undefeated 1975 Sun Devils, take selfies in Sun Devil Stadium before ASU's Homecoming game Nov. 14.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Sparky makes his appearance at the start of the Homecoming game Nov. 14 in Tempe.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
The Sun Devils football team takes the field to play the University of Washington. ASU defeated the Huskies 27-17.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Sun Devil Spirit Squad member Tatum Buck cheers on the Devils on Nov. 14.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Running back De'Chavon Hayes eludes a tackle as ASU plays the University of Washington on Nov. 14.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Fellow 1979 alumni Marching Band members Cindy Anderson (left) and Paula Schwab join more than 800 fellow alumni and current Marching Band members during halftime Nov. 14. The special performance marked the group's 100th anniversary.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Juan Oliveras jams on the vibraphone during halftime Nov. 14.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Sun Devil Spirit Squad dancers perform during halftime of the Nov. 14 Homecoming game in Tempe against Washington.

Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU Now
Phoebe Smith, 2, cheers the Sun Devils to a 27-17 victory against the Washington Huskies in the Homecoming game.

Photo by Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
ASU players charge out of the tunnel to kick off the ASU Homecoming game against the University of Washington.

Photo the Courtney Pedroza/ASU News
Zane Gonzalez takes a practice kick during the ASU-Washington Homecoming game.

Photo by Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now

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