Marching down Main Street
The rain and wind showed up just in time for the start of Western’s Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 29.
The cold moved in as the floats started to make their way through town. But right before the end of the parade, the sun came out—producing an epic double rainbow right over Main Street as the last floats rolled down, making for a beautiful backdrop.
Despite the chilly weather, the student clubs and organization still brought cheer to the parade, expressing their excitement for Homecoming. They made the most of the situation and still put on an enthusiastic performance for the families and students watching from the sidewalks.
W Mountain burns for Homecoming
Thanks to the Mountain Rescue team, Western’s famous W Mountain burned a bright red in celebration of Homecoming. Alumni celebrated outside Borick Business Building, and students watched the climactic blaze from every spot across campus.
By 8:30 p.m., frost had collected on the grass and the temperature dropped below freezing. With the humidity high from the recent rainstorm (and some students still wet from the parade not three hours before), the weather was not too kind.
But despite the cold, the grills at the Alumni Barbeque still roared away, and music blasted outside Borick Hall. Even those up by the Mountaineer Bowl didn’t much mind the cold.
“It’s still a fun little watch party,” said a student who was marching up to the Mountaineer Bowl to watch the blaze. “And with the bonfire right after, we’ll warm up super-fast.”
Gameday
Western’s sports teams had an exciting Homecoming weekend. Women’s Soccer defeated Adam’s State 2-1, Men’s Football battled hard but lost a close game to Dixie State 12-15 and Women’s Volleyball lost a well-fought match to Fort Lewis College. Many fans—alumni and students—turned out to support the Mountaineers at every event.
Gunnison’s 3rd Annual Diversity Walk gathers more than 80 marchers
Walking down Main Street, bearing signs supporting Dreamers and the differently-abled, with kids on their shoulders and megaphones in hand, the participants of the third annual Diversity March peacefully made their way down the road in support of love and unity.
Despite the cold weather, more than 80 participants showed up to march hand-in-hand. Some brought their kids. Others brought relatives, Dreamers and first-generation immigrants alike. One organizer joked that the motivation of hot chocolate and coffee at the finish line was enough to keep people marching.
Story by Mason Albrechtson, Taya Olson and Caitlin Gleason. Photo by Taya Olson.
