Even the Greatest Homecoming on Earth (GHOE) can’t escape the pandemic.
NC A&T State University has announced updated safety guidelines for the GHOE festivities during the week of Oct. 24 to Oct. 31.
The homecoming parade, by far the best parade in Greensboro, has been cancelled for the 2021 A&T homecoming along with Aggie Fan Fest and the Student Activities sponsored Greek cookout.
The NC A&T athletic department will require fans to provide proof of vaccination for all home football games, including Homecoming. Fans who don’t have proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be required to show they have received a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event. Even those under 12 for whom the vaccine has not yet been approved will be required to provide a proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event.
Those same standards will apply to student and alumni events taking place on campus including the step show and homecoming concerts.
For events at the Greensboro Coliseum, masks will be required.
There’s a good reason the A&T homecoming is called the Greatest Homecoming on Earth. In a typical year the A&T homecoming draws over 100,000 people to events in Greensboro and has an estimated economic impact of over $10 million. The streets in downtown Greensboro are jammed with traffic during homecoming week and the parking lots filled to overflowing.
In 2020, due to COVID, the in-person events at Greatest Homecoming on Earth were cancelled and instead homecoming events were held virtually. Earlier this year before the latest surge of COVID cases, it appeared that A&T’s homecoming would be back in full force for 2021.
Now, with the parade and other events cancelled, it appears A&T homecoming will be a far cry from a typical pre-COVID homecoming, but better than the virtual homecoming held in 2020.
Won’t stop the parking lot after parties. But you won’t hear about that.
Nor will it stop all of the litter,fast food wrappers,trash, beer cans,broken glass and chicken bones left in the parking lots. No respect for others property
Homecoming festivities as a whole should be cancelled! It seems as if A&Tis prioritizing money over the overall safety of it’s students and alumni! As a devout alumni and homecoming participant, this just reeks of a super spreader event, if they have the yard and tailgating open per usual…Smh
-Concerned and disappointed!
Our death date is already destined by God. So many people have lost their minds having to stay in the house. The FOLK FESTIVAL just happened downtown for 3 days. Where is the complaining? Nascar still going, Florida still having big events, etc. Please don’t section out NCA&T HBCU, the world just need a break. We got the shot now what?
Mental Health is also important. Guidelines are being followed! Now what? Sit in our homes and rot?