Darien High School To Revive Homecoming Celebration For 2024

Information via DHS Homecoming Committee

DARIEN, CT — For the first time in nearly 15 years, Darien High School will hold a traditional homecoming celebration.

This year's festivities will feature a Homecoming Spirit Week from Oct. 14-19, which promises to reconnect students, parents and alumni in a broader celebration for the entire Darien community.

There will be a full week of varsity games the community is encouraged to go to, and for the first time, the homecoming football game will be under the lights at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. The week will culminate with Saturday's semi-formal homecoming dance for all DHS students complete with big-ticket raffle items and carnival-style games.

Beyond the weekend events, Homecoming Week will also feature a series of themed spirit days, pep rallies, and friendly competitions among students.

"School spirit creates a sense of community and belonging," said DHS Assistant Principal Alison Mullane in a news release. "We believe a spirited homecoming week, spearheaded by our student Government and supported by our Darien High School Parent Association, which includes bringing back the homecoming dance tradition, strengthens our connections to one another."
For the last few years, DHS’s homecoming has been limited to themed-spirit days, a pep rally, and a football game, with dwindling participation.

The decision to bring back homecoming came after widespread interest from students, parents, and DHS alumni who fondly remember the excitement surrounding this weekend.

"From the painstakingly assembled homemade floats, which ferried the homecoming court, to the packed football game at DHS stadium to the post-game dance in the gym. There was such a sense of community and school spirit that my classmates and I still remember to this day," said Kate Watts Gregory ('97) in a news release.

"Homecoming was always an exciting event for the entire school. Each grade was in charge of preparing and decorating a float with a specific theme that we kept secret until the day of the event. We had the parade prior to the football game. We had a ball and closed the event with a homecoming dance!" added Marisa Mulvihill Froehlich ('68) in a news release.

While this year's homecoming won’t have floats, a parade or royalty court, it will feature the following classic traditions:

Tuesday, Oct. 15

• 3:15 p.m. boys golf at Country Club of Darien
• 6 p.m. girls soccer vs. Brien McMahon at DHS Stadium

Wednesday, Oct. 16

• 2:30 p.m. boys cross country at Waveny Park
• 4 p.m. girls cross country at Waveny Park
• 4 p.m. girls volleyball vs. Fairfield Ludlow at DHS main gym

Thursday, Oct. 17

• 4 p.m. girls field hockey vs. Stamford at DHS Stadium

Friday, Oct. 18

• Boys soccer vs. Norwalk at DHS Stadium, 4 p.m.
• Varsity football vs. St. Joseph under the lights at 7:30 p.m. with a show-stopping halftime performance, complete with the DHS band and cheerleaders

Saturday, Oct. 19

• The semi-formal homecoming dance will take place in the DHS gymnasium from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. where students can dress up, celebrate, and create memories in a beautifully decorated, spirited setting.

Another significant initiative included coordinating interest across school and parent communities to plan and execute homecoming and "that outreach brought an overwhelming response with more than 50 volunteers," according to DHSPA Co-Chair Kelly Scallon.

Darien Homecoming is also an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to support Blue Wave Pride and the Blue Wave Booster Club has generously donated a major attraction for Saturday’s dance.

"We are one Blue Wave Family. We care about each other. We build each other up, support each other through challenges, and celebrate our accomplishments together," Mullane added in a news release.

For more information on sponsorships and how to participate, contact the Darien High School Parent Association at dhs.dpn@gmail.com and follow on Instagram @dhshoco and Facebook at DHS Homecoming.