50 years in the making! The 2008 Homecoming at Arizona State University took on special meaning since it was the 50th anniversary of it becoming a university. In 1958 the voters of Arizona passed a law allowing the then Arizona State College to become ASU.

The homecoming spirit was evident around the Tempe campus with elaborate decorations: Clockwise: A collection of period objects and ASU material in the lobby of the Student Recreation Center; Residence Life in Student Services Building took on the look of ASU’s Old Main building; Palo Verde West Hub reinterpreted the university’s iconic Palm Walk; and Career Center in the School of Engineering was festooned with balloons.

Throughout Homecoming week, ASU hosted the Battle of the Bands, bringing a variety of groups and musical styles. Clockwise from upper left: Larry Gast of Sweet Sin wields his Gibson Les Paul; One Sleepless Night takes the stage in front of the Memorial Union; the Pedestrians play horn and keyboard driven rock; and Lauren Tree and Dale Pattison of Talk Fiction.

Clockwise from upper left: Scott Sievers of the Duct Tape Repairmen pounds out a tune; a happy patron casts their ballot for their favorite band; Adam Melia and Matt Cox of the Dorsets rock out in front of the Memorial Union, and Adeola Kassim of the Associated Students Programming and Activities Board passes out homecoming t shirts.

Homecoming court member Shannon Green is apprehensive, then relieved as she is shown a lock of her hair that was cut off by Anna Ruiz of Sports Cutter. The cut was made for a good cause - a special event focused on donating hair to Locks of Love, a charity organization that provides hairpieces to underprivileged children suffering from medical hair loss. More than $6,500 raised during the event went to the American Cancer Society.

Friday night before the homecoming parade, the traditional Lantern Walk was held on Tempe Butte, known to many as “A” Mountain. Participants make their way by candlelight, along with more modern light sources, up to the concrete “A.”

This year the crowd gathered at the water tanks near Historic Sun Devil Stadium.

KC McCall and Alison Rund enjoy the view from atop A Mountain.

Everyone loves a parade and ASU is no exception as the 50th Homecoming Parade kicked off on University Drive.

Belinda Contreras, 17, of Phoenix (left) and Marina Lopez, 16, of Phoenix, take in the sights of the parade. The annual parade always draws a large crowd.

Sonora Residence Hall’s entry makes its way down the parade route in front of the Fulton Center.

ASU’s commitment to sustainability was evident in the use of recycled & recyclable material in the floats, like this entry from the Ira A Fulton School of Engineering. Homecoming organizers also used photovoltaic panels to generate electricity to power the public address system for the parade and provided water refill stations as an alternative to bottled water.

Hassayampa Residence Community’s float came in with a movie theme, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and lots of enthusiastic dancing.

One of the biggest parts of ASU’s Homecoming is the annual Block Party. The event follows the parade and is held adjacent to the parade route on the Alumni Lawn in front of Old Main and the Palo Verde “Beach” area. The Block Party features reunion tents, university displays, food and games and fun for the kids.

Juan Rios demonstrates Nanoscopic Magnetic Ferrousfluid as part of the "Science is Fun" exhibit during the Block Party.

Other forms of fun were found by Maya Sharp, 6, of Tempe as she hula hoops during the block party.

In addition to things to do, make and learn, there was also lots to eat. Dina Flees, of Tempe (left), and Denise Snow, of Tempe, with the College of Design serve up cotton candy for the party-goers.

James Randall and Amanda Badali, the 2008 Homecoming King and Queen, were introduced during half time ceremonies during the Washington State-Arizona State football game.

Homecoming wrapped up with a nice victory for the Sun Devils. ASU blanked Washington State 31-0, the school's first shutout since the Sun Devils held Nebraska scoreless on Sept. 21, 1996. Dexter Davis (58) hauls down the Cougars quarterback Kevin Lopina for a loss. In all, it was another festive and exciting ASU Homecoming. With 50 years in the rearview mirror, ASU is ready to make history again in the next 50 years. Check back in 2058 to celebrate 100 years as a university. Go Devils!