Homecoming 2021 was an eventful week, to say the least.

For the first time in forever, it seems, life is bouncing back and Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is slowly returning to its former stage of being the most rambunctious and rowdy style of pulling off a homecoming week with amazing events.

The decades-old traditions of CMU homecoming were apparent during this week. Activities included PAC events, sporting events, parents’ weekend, and the good ol’ tradition of bonfires.

This bonfire was truly an experience. The paper mache statue of the Metro State University (MSU) Roadrunner being extinguished by an anvil really shows our pride as CMU fans.

CMU students and fans of Grand Junction know as a fact that this Maverick country. I really liked how this bonfire brought a sense of normalcy back to the student body.

Normalcy being the return of normally scheduled events on campus such as the bonfire. I remember in the fall of 2019 when we had a pre-COVID bonfire with a very sizable crowd.

As a freshman, those traditions were very new and exciting. I relived those distant memories tonight with the howling winds and the raging bonfire.

The 2021 bonfire was headed in the right direction regarding CMU traditions bouncing back. This fact made me realize that 2021 will be a very unique year.

This year CMU will have not one, but two homecomings, just separated by a few months of each other.

If that’s not a rowdy realization for you, you are in the wrong place my friend.