Central Methodist University will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its first Homecoming with a virtual commemoration this year. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the university opted not to hold traditional Homecoming events this year.

While 2020 would not be the university’s 100th Homecoming, it would mark the 100th anniversary of the inaugural event that took place in 1920. The annual event has been canceled at least twice in the last 100 years.

The event is an economic boom for Fayette, drawing about 3,500 people annually to Fayette over the course of the Homecoming weekend. Saturday opens with the traditional parade around the square, followed by football and soccer games. Main Street in downtown Fayette is blocked off to traffic as bars and restaurants host large celebrations and gatherings long into the night.

Despite the change this year, downtown restaurants still plan on an influx of customers, albeit a smaller one. Miknan’s Main Street Pub received permission from the city to block off part of Main Street in front of the restaurant for extra seating to allow for appropriate distancing. The 2 p.m. CMU football game will be live-streamed, and the restaurant will offer drink and appetizer specials (see ad on page 2 of this newspaper.)

Emmet’s Kitchen & Tap will once again offer its popular Bloody Mary’s along with food special and a special menu in place of its traditional cajun buffet. Schluckebier, named after the restaurant’s late owner, Rob Schluckebier, will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fayette’s newest tavern, The Nest, will also present special offerings on Saturday. Located half block off the square on Main Street, the bar will serve pulled pork sandwiches along with drink specials. There will be karaoke on Friday night.

The economic effect of Homecoming’s cancellation—on top of an already slow economy, thanks to governmental response to the pandemic—will certainly be felt here in Fayette. In an effort to ease the strain, Central is asking alumni to make financial gifts to the college that will in turn be spent at area businesses.

“In our own way, we help sustain the local economy each year at Homecoming,” read an email from the university to CMU alumni. “Make a gift today to help us support the businesses of this historic community. All gifts received between September 19 and September 28, 2020, will be invested in Fayette businesses through the purchase of gift cards or gift certificates that will then be passed on to our students.”

CMU’s virtual Homecoming includes various events on social media and will allow alumni to “sit in” to online classes throughout the week. Other online events include a CMU trivia night, an Eagle Store fashion show, and coffee with university president Roger Drake. Additionally, the men’s and women’s soccer teams along with the volleyball team have several matches throughout the week. Admission to the annual homecoming football game on Saturday will be limited to just 400 ticket holders made up of CMU faculty, staff, students, and players’ families, to adhere to distancing guidelines. A Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime.

The first time the term “Homecoming” was applied to CMU’s annual celebration was November 20, 1920. And it wasn’t until 1927 that Homecoming would evolve into the event that is closer to how the celebration is held today. Scheduled for November 17 of that year, it not only included an academic holiday for the students, but a celebration for the enjoyment and entertainment of relatives, alumni, and friends. Festivities that year included the dedication of the new men’s dormitory (now known as McMurry Hall), a parade of floats leading up to the football game against William Jewell, a special dinner for the board of curators, and the ceremony of “Lighting the Homefires” in the hearths of the new dormitory. CMC fell 7-0 on the gridiron.