Downtown landscape shines in maroon, gold

<p>ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus will be showing its heart of maroon and gold as it prepares for Homecoming 2009.</p><separator></separator><p>Beads, pom-poms, banners, balloons, costumes and footballs will fill out the downtown landscape for a week of “Devilish” homecoming traditions and celebrations that reflect ASU pride.</p><separator></separator><p>“Homecoming Week is a time of celebration for students and the community,” says Cassandra Aska, the director of the Department of Student Engagement. “The variety of events and activities provides an opportunity for everyone to show their Sun Devil spirit. We all look forward to this time in the year, where ASU pride runs rampant across all of Phoenix.”</p><separator></separator><p>Scheduled activities for Homecoming week include:</p><separator></separator><p>• Sparky’s Challenge, 2 p.m., Oct. 25, at University Park, 1002 W. Van Buren St. Students will compete in the fourth annual Homecoming Kickball Competition and vie for a Golden Pitchfork Award.</p><separator></separator><p>• Hearts of Gold Service Project, 3 p.m., Oct. 26, ASU Wells Fargo Student Center, 455 N. 3rd St., Suite 265, Phoenix. Students will volunteer at the Tumbleweed Drop-in Center, 902 N. 5th St., Phoenix, to assist with creating backdrops and goodie bags for their haunted house fundraiser to support the organization.</p><separator></separator><p>• Office Decorating Contest, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 27, all ASU Downtown Phoenix campus buildings.  All offices must register by Oct. 25.</p><separator></separator><p>• Night of Gold Homecoming Celebration, 7 p.m., Oct. 29, Taylor Place Residence Hall, 120 E. Taylor St., Shade Garden, Phoenix. Join the Programming and Activities Board and Resident Hall Association build the Downtown Phoenix campus float for the Homecoming Parade.</p><separator></separator><p>• Fright Night, 7 p.m., Oct. 29, Taylor Place Residence Hall, 120 E. Taylor St., Phoenix. Join the Programming and Activities Board for a night of frights at a local haunted house and maze.</p><separator></separator><p>• FestDevil and Open House, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 30, Taylor Mall, First and Taylor Streets. Celebrate ASU’s Homecoming with free entertainment, activities and goodies.</p><separator></separator><p>• ASU Homecoming 2009 Block Party, parade and game, 9 a.m., Oct. 31, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe. Join universitywide festivities on the Tempe campus before the Sun Devils take on the UC Berkeley Golden Bears.</p><separator></separator><p>To register or RSVP for homecoming activities, e-mail Traditions@asu.edu or visit the Web site <a href="http://www.asu.edu/homecoming">www.asu.edu/homecoming</a>.</p&gt;