Your Ultimate Guide to HOCO 2024
Written By: Bella Kats, 2nd year BMOS
Getting Ready for HOCO
What to wear: Purple everything.
Western Homecoming is the perfect time to show off your Western merch and spirit. During HOCO everyone will be wearing purple and white UWO inspired clothing, so make sure to wear yours too to cheer on the Mustangs! There are various places you can find Western and Mustang swag around campus: the Dellelce Family Bookstore (which includes the new OVO collection 👀), shops in the UCC, and small businesses owned by Western students. The pharmacy in the basement of the UCC also has a lot of good accessories and fun things for HOCO as well - like necklaces, purple hair chalk, purple ribbon, purple glitter, and more. You can also hit up the Student Fan Festival spirit station for some tattoos, bracelets and face painting to finish off your hoco look!
Make sure to plan your day – eat a meal, drink tons of water, charge your phone (so you can take lots of pictures), bring a reusable water bottle (there will be various stations to refill it around campus), and most importantly use the buddy system!
Be sure to also stop by the Care Hubs throughout the day. They’re stocked with snacks, water, charging stations, and sexual wellness supplies. Counsellors, staff and volunteers will be there for you for anything you need 🙂
The Care Hubs will be located at:
- The corner of Lambton Drive and Huron Drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Western Alumni Stadium from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- University Bridge at the corner of University Drive and Sunset Street from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Planning Your Day
There are plenty of events happening leading up to the big game. Here’s a guide to some HOCO activities to pump you up for the game:
Student Pancake Breakfast
9 – 11 a.m. @ Concrete Beach
Start your homecoming celebration with free pancakes! - there’s nothing better than free food ;) Join us under the tent on Concrete Beach for a celebratory breakfast that includes a Homecoming photo station. *While supplies last.
Grand Opening Homecoming Party
9:30 a.m. -12 p.m. @ Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Check out the new Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a homecoming celebration running from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; featuring free food, games, face painting, live music, prizes, a startup showcase, building tours, a Schmeichel miniPITCH, and more. Register for free here!
Student Fan Festival
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. @ Western Alumni Stadium
Don't miss out on a day packed with excitement! Indulge in 20+ FREE food trucks, free entry to the football game, giveaways, a photo station, live entertainment and more!
Western students can head to the East Gates of Western Alumni Stadium for FREE entry into the Student Fan Festival and Football Game with valid Western ONECard, starting at 11 a.m.
The Fan Fest is packed with things to do and plenty to eat! Bring a reusable water bottle to take advantage of water refill stations. If you can, don’t bring a bag as you’ll get in faster because you won’t have to go through a security bag check. Remember to bring your Western ONECard for entry!
Once you show your ONECard you’ll receive a wristband that will provide you with access to all the fan fest activities! More info on the Student Fan Festival!
Homecoming Football Game - also a part of the Student Fan Festival!
1 p.m. @ Western Alumni Stadium
The Western Mustangs football team takes on the Queen’s Gaels at 1 p.m. for the 75th annual Homecoming football game! Make sure you bring on the cheers for your Mustangs and ensure we get the W. It’s also great to see our talented Cheerleading team and Western Marching Band in action!
Remember to take Care of Yourself
This part of my HOCO guide may sound cliché, but HOCO is a long, energy-filled weekend, especially if you’re going all out. It’s important to take care of yourself and look out for those around you during this time. Make sure to take breaks and head home if needed, but most importantly, stay hydrated!! Carry a water bottle with you and take advantage of the water stations and Care Hubs around campus offering snacks. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but your body will thank you for staying nourished and hydrated. Have fun and stay safe Mustangs! 💜🐎
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