Despite inclement weather, almost 5,500 students and alumni gathered this weekend on the Hilltop to celebrate Homecoming, breaking last year’s record total of 5,063.

“We’re still calculating the final number, but as of now we had 5,451 students and alumni participate in weekend events,” said Jennifer Paul, associate director of alumni relations. “This exceeds last year’s record-breaking numbers. Of that number, approximately 50 [percent] were alumni.”

The weekend began on Friday with Traditions Day, hosted by Hoya Blue and The Corp. For the first time, there were not only free Georgetown University Grilling Society burgers, but also cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake, moon bounces and free ice cream.

That night, students attended the annual Mr. Georgetown pageant – one of the weekend’s most popular events, according to Paul.

“Mr. Georgetown was great. It is so neat to see all the funny people in your class that you did not know were that funny. I definitely recommend it to everyone,” Laura Andersen (SFS ’10) said.

Calvin Keen (SFS ’10), a member of Club Filipino, won the annual event. It was the second consecutive win for Club Filipino.

Saturday’s events continued despite the overcast and rainy weekend. The tailgate held before Georgetown’s football game against Howard University was the most popular event of the weekend, according to Paul. It featured music by The Reflex, a 1980s tribute band, and free food.

[The Hoyas lost 11-14 to Howard University in the Homecoming football game](https://www.thehoya.com/sports/rain-falls-hoyas-winless-season-continues-against-bison/) later in the afternoon. After, in a slightly less attended game, the Georgetown University College Republicans beat the College Democrats in a flag football game.

Local businesses also reaped the rewards of high Homecoming turnout. Jessica Thoburn, a manager at The Tombs, said it was a successful weekend for the local restaurant.

“[Homecoming weekend] was pretty ridiculous here, as the lines were often out the door. On Saturday morning for lunch, we had to stop letting people in,” she said.

On Sunday, students and alumni had the opportunity to eat brunch at O’Donovan Hall. Later that afternoon, the Georgetown Alumni Association organized kayaking on the Potomac River. Students also gathered in Red Square to make care packages to send to Hoya alumni who are fighting overseas.

Other popular events included class parties on the waterfront and the M Street takeover, Paul added.

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