By: Dargan Thompson, Assistant Features Editor

It’s February again, which means Homecoming is right around the corner. Nest Fest 2012 will take place Feb. 10-18.

The Spirit Cup competition is back this year with two leagues – gray for social Greek organizations and blue for those unaffiliated with a Greek organization. There will be one overall winning team from each league. In addition, the team that donates the most items to the new Lend-A-Wing food pantry will win the Nest Fest Club Philanthropy award.

Not on a team? No worries. With events ranging from a carnival to an old-fashioned car bash, there are plenty of ways to participate. Here’s a breakdown of the events:

Friday, Feb. 10
Comedy Show
UNF Arena
Doors open at 8 p.m.
Show starts at 9 p.m.
After having to cancel his show last semester, hopefully Pablo Francisco will make it to UNF for his performance this time. He’s teaming up with Ralphie May to kick off the Nest Fest events. Bring your Osprey1 Card to get in for free. Bring along a non-Osprey friend for $10.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Field Day – “Osprey Challenge”
Coxwell Amphitheater
Competition from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
With relay races, inflatable jousting and obstacle courses, this event is pretty much like a fifth grade play day, said Homecoming Director Candice Perry. The team with the fastest overall time in the events will win the Osprey Challenge, and after the competition is over, everything will be open for free play.

Monday, Feb. 13

Lip Sync Competition
Lazzara Performance Hall
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Show starts at 8 p.m.
Come watch the teams perform a UNF-themed lip sync, including an osprey, a swoop and at least one song from 1979. How will these things fit together? With elaborate sets and dance moves, of course.

Late Night Breakfast
The Green
10 p.m.
Grab some free food after the lip-sync winner is announced.

Chalking Party
Campuswide Event
10 p.m.-12 a.m.
Teams will have two hours to complete a chalk design portraying the “Mighty Osprey” theme and show off their UNF spirit.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Homecoming Court Reveal
Osprey Plaza
12:30 p.m.
Grab some free Kilwin’s ice cream while you wait to see the top five guys and top five girls chosen for Homecoming court. Then vote online before Feb. 17 for the homecoming king and queen. The winners will be announced during halftime of the basketball game Feb. 18.

Banner Contest
9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Submit your banners to the Student Union reservation desk by 9 a.m. Five judges will score the banners at 11:30 a.m., then the banners will hang in the Osprey Plaza until Feb. 16, when they move to the Arena.

Office Decorating Contest
All-day event
Homecoming committee members will come around and snap pictures of the offices participating in the contest, then post them on the Nest Fest Facebook to see which one receives the most votes.

Movie Night
Student Union Auditorium
Showings at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The UNF Alumni Association and Osprey Productions will be showing “Friends with Benefits” and serving free snacks.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Night of Fun
Coxwell Amphitheater
4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Last year’s day of fun has moved to later in the evening. Night of Fun will have rides, a guy making balloon animals and all sorts of good, greasy carnival food like funnel cakes and turkey legs. Custom street signs and build-your-own stuffed animals will be back this year, as well.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Agency Day
Coxwell Ampitheater
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Learn about some of UNF’s clubs while enjoying live music and free food. Bring some nonperishable items to donate to the Volunteer Center’s Lend-A-Wing pantry.

Can Castle
Coxwell Amphitheater
Set up at 10 a.m.
Competition at 12 p.m.
Groups will use their donations for the Lend-A-Wing pantry to construct Osprey-themed can structures, which will be judged on creativity and number of cans.

Friday, Feb. 17

Boathouse Bash
The Boathouse
10 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Osprey Productions will clear out the tables and bring in a DJ to turn the Boathouse into a club. The party will continue until half an hour after all the other clubs close in Jacksonville. Bring two valid forms of ID if you want to drink.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Owl Oust Tailgate
Arena Plaza
Tailgating begins at 4 p.m.
Come out to grab some grub, listen to live music and hang out before the big game. Show some school pride by participating in a traditional car bash – using a sledge hammer to destroy an old car painted with Kennesaw State colors.

Wing-Eating contest
5:30 p.m.
Which team’s representative can eat 20 chicken wings the fastest?

Tailgate Competition
6 p.m.
Judges will award spirit points to the team with the best UNF-themed tailgate.

Basketball Double-Header
Women at 4:30 p.m.
Men at 7 p.m.
After a week of spirit-filled events, you should be ready to yell and swoop as you cheer on the Ospreys against the Kennesaw State Owls. Remember to bring your student ID to get in for free. Winners of the Spirit Cup will be announced after the game ends.

Sources: Homecoming Director Candice Perry, 2012 Homecoming Packet, Homecoming Packet Update and Clarification Sheet

For more information and to stay updated on the events, check out the UNF Nest Fest’s Facebook page.

Email Dargan Thompson at [email protected].