The EIU homecoming committee put together the Rodeo Round-Up event at the Library Quad last Thursday to help get students in the homecoming spirit.

“We’ve got a derby race, horse hopping, bazooka ball, mini golf, food trucks, old time photos with a green screen and rodeo lasso,” homecoming committee coordinator Elley Szopinski said.

Szopinski and her fellow homecoming committee members wanted a fun theme with plenty of opportunities for entertainment. They said they knew they could do lots of events with westerns and come up with many different activities for students to do.

Many students came to Rodeo Round-Up to enjoy the event.

“It’s really fun and helps you to get acquainted with everyone,” junior human services major Emery Johnson said.

Students lined up on the Library Quad grounds to buy food from the nearby food trucks, with many opting for smoothies and smoothie cups from Sammy’s Smoothie Bar.

There were donuts and many more food choices offered in a couple of other food trucks as well. The homecoming committee also offered discount tickets during the event to help lessen the cost to EIU students who wanted food at the food trucks.

One of the most popular activities was the electric bull ride, an inflatable ride for students to enjoy. Students would go to the event tent to sign a waiver and have their hand stamped with a sharpie panther paw before being able to participate in any of the inflatable event activities.

“I heard there was an electronic bull, and my friends wanted to ride it,” said Alisha Frederick, a sophomore elementary education major.

Johnson had similar hopes during the event.

“I’ve got friends that are on the homecoming committee, and I just wanted to ride the bull,” she said.

EIU students also had the chance to win prizes at Rodeo Round-Up.

“We have a blushing stuffy palm pal that comes with a $25 DoorDash gift card and an Amazon fire stick.” Szopinski said.

There were four plushies, a chicken, bull, horse and cow, available for students to win during the event. All students needed to do was write their name on a ticket with their EIU email to be entered into the raffle.

Johnson said she really appreciated how involved everyone is on campus and coordinating their schedules around the same activities.

Fredricks has a similar idea when it comes to Rodeo Round-Up.

“Students should try to get involved around campus,” she said.

Even Szopinski wants the same opportunity for students to connect with others on campus this semester.

“Everyone should come out to the events and have a great time and support the school,” she said.

Michelle Doty can be reached at 581-2812 or at mrdoty@eiu.edu.