Dalton State College to celebrate Homecoming with free festivities

Published 8:00 am Friday, February 7, 2025

Dalton State College Director of Student Engagement and Belonging Heather Williams said local residents, students and alumni are invited to participate in several free, public festivities across Dalton as part of the college’s 2025 Homecoming celebration Feb. 20-22.

“We want as many people who can come out and see our Homecoming parade in downtown Dalton and events at Burr Park to do so,” said Williams. “They’re absolutely free and open to the community.”

Taking place on Friday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m. and featuring a “Let’s GLOW” neon theme, the parade is a family-friendly event and will begin at the Dalton First Baptist Church parking lot at 311 N. Thornton Ave. before heading onto West Waugh Street. From there, the parade route has a right turn onto Hamilton Street before turning into the parking lot adjacent to Burr Park at 101 S. Hamilton St.

“Right now, we have 16 different groups who have registered to participate in the parade,” Williams said. “That includes our athletes and cheer team, several representatives of our student organizations and clubs, our academic departments and a float from the Whitfield County Schools system. A lot of our student clubs and groups participating on the route plan to hand out things like stickers, candy or glow sticks to spectators as well.”

For the second year in a row, Dalton State College President John Fuchko III and his wife Sherie will serve as marshals and lead the parade.

The college will host several free, family-friendly activities at Burr Park at 5 p.m., including lawn games such as giant Jenga, cornhole and ladderball.

“The Dalton State Alumni Association will also be set up to connect with alumni or community members who are curious,” Williams said. “Heartlite Hospice will be set up and they’ll have activities for kids and families, while Believe Greater Dalton will have a (children’s) book giveaway table. The Carpentry hotel will be giving away complimentary bottled water and glow sticks.”

The McNabb Center, a nonprofit that provides mental health, substance use and social and victim services, will have a table set up with an “interactive wheel” while giving out prizes and information about its resources, said Williams.

Following the parade, at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21, Williams said a pep rally will take place on the Burr Park stage.

“We will have a live deejay from Elevate Event Experience playing songs and then we will have opening remarks by Dr. Fuchko,” Williams said.

Dalton State’s cheer team and Roadrunners mascot Rage will also make appearances, as will basketball head coach Alex Ireland, who will speak about the team’s season.

“For people who want to pop in before the parade or pep rally, (local coffee shop) Garmony House is going to be providing discounts and they’re going to create a special Roadrunner-themed drink,” Williams said.

At 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, Dalton State will host “alumni and friends socials” at six downtown Dalton restaurants for several department graduates and guests.

“Everywhere that’s offering an alumni social will also offer some type of discount,” Williams said. “Café Ostro is (hosting) our athletics alumni, Cherokee Brewing + Pizza is for our Dean of Students Office, El Maguey (Mexican Cuisine) is for the School of Education, Dalton Brewing Co. is for our School of Health Professions, Jefferson’s is for our Wright School of Business, and Mariscos (El Cuhhhmaron) is for our global arts and science majors.”

Williams said alumni and their guests do not “necessarily have to commit to their certain location.”

“Last year, many people would hop around the various socials,” she said. “They can just make an evening out of it and have fun.”

On Thursday, Feb. 20, the college will host a community trivia night at 5 in the Pope Student Center. Students and members of the public are invited to take part in teams to answer general trivia questions. The first place team will receive a cash prize and the runners-up will be given “spirit packs” featuring Dalton State merchandise, said Williams.

The festivities will also include two home basketball games at the college’s Bandy Gymnasium on campus. On Feb. 20 at 7 p.m., Dalton State will take on Point University. On Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. the college’s Homecoming basketball game will see the Roadrunners face Marietta’s Life University. Members of the Homecoming Court will be presented during halftime.

Prior to the Feb. 22 game, Dalton State’s alumni affairs office will host an alumni brunch at 11 a.m. in Bandy Gymnasium.

“Anyone who wants to register for the brunch can email the alumni office at alumni@daltonstate.edu or (Director of Government and Alumni Relations) Sam Dindoffer at sdindoffer@daltonstate.edu,” Williams said.