One of the biggest highlights of football season is the homecoming game and, the night before the game, the homecoming dance. The dance will be held on Oct. 7 in the Student Union Ballrooms with doors opening at 8 p.m. The homecoming game versus Miami University will take place Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.

The theme this year for the dance is “The Adventure Awaits.” There will be free food, a DJ, and a cash bar and prizes. Tickets are $7 presale and $10 at the door. Tickets can be bought on the first floor of the Student Union at the Information Desk or online at commerce.cashnet.com/orgzp.

There is a lot of planning and organizing that goes into homecoming.

“Most big universities have a homecoming,” said David Vale, assistant director of Campus Programs. “When you think of an actual definition of what homecoming is, it makes more sense on a college campus than on a high school campus. Homecoming is welcoming past alumni and everyone back to the University. They’re coming home.”

Ashley Ritter, president of UA’s Zips Programming Network (ZPN) and a candidate for homecoming queen, and Kristina Aiad-Toss, traditional event chairman for ZPN, are working hard to plan the dance and the events leading to it.

“Everything is pretty much set,” Ritter said. “All of our decorations are coming, we’re starting to get a lot of orders in, [and] I’m just ready for it to start happening.”

Numerous events will take place prior to the dance to help students get into the spirit. On Monday, Oct. 3 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a “Baggage Claim Prizes & Travel Trivia” held in the Student Union piano lounge. On Thursday, Oct. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ZPN is hosting a “Deal or No Deal” event in the same location.

Another part of homecoming week is the homecoming court.

Eight men and eight women, all finalists for homecoming court, will be walking the field prior to the football game. The king and queen will be revealed at the dance the night before.

At the dance, the Zips Programming Network will be hosting an attendance competition between Greek life chapters and residence halls. The fraternity, sorority, and residence hall with the most number of attendees will win $250.