Homecoming week has come and gone faster than Riptide the Pelican trying to catch a fish. From the Lighting of McAlister on Nov. 2, where the Homecoming court was announced, to the rain that threatened to dampen Saturday’s tailgate and following football game, Homecoming weekend was a hell of a hullabaloo. 

“30 Rock” star Judah Friedlander performed stand-up comedy at 9:30 p.m. Nov. 4 in McAlister Auditorium. Friedlander is known for his flamboyant and brash humor as well as his affinity for trucker hats and professional wrestling. He used his time in McAlister to entertain the idea of his presidential campaign, requesting that students to ask him questions about his policy stances in his own comedic and sarcastic way.

The Reily Center put on the annual mile-long race dubbed “The McAlister Mile” on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. on the Lavin-Bernick Center quad. There were prizes for the top finishers and participants enjoyed free food after their one-mile sprint.

On Thursday, the Homecoming committee presented a special concert with performer Hoodie Allen, of “No Interruption” fame. A local musician, Abby Diamond, opened for Allen. Diamond is a student at neighboring Loyola University.

Friday started with free breakfast, as students and their families were welcomed to attend a meal in Cudd Hall, complete with homemade breads and pastries, fresh juice and coffee, plus live music by the Erin Demastes trio.

The annual Homecoming carnival on Friday on the LBC quad offered food trucks and carnival rides. La Cocinata, Food Drunk, Fry Bar, the District Donuts street car and Frencheeze served their local cuisine. During the carnival, the Homecoming court was presented and Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen performed.

In typical New Orleans fashion, Friday night ended with a musical performance. Tulane’s a capella groups, Green Envy, THEM and TULA, warbled away at 9 p.m. in McAlister Auditorium.

Saturday’s tailgate was a humid and drizzly affair but it offered more food than a typical Tulane tailgate. The Associated Student Body tent served complimentary ribeye sandwiches which were a hit among many students.

“Free steak sandwiches were definitely a highlight,” junior Liz Donhauser said.

The Green Wave lost the football game 7-3. 

The Tulane University Homecoming Facebook page was constantly updated throughout the week. The homecoming committee, Tidal Wave, kept the community informed with separate Facebook pages for individual events, as well as an Instagram account, @tuhomecoming. 

Additional reporting by Kate Jamison