Shake off those winter gloves and open your arms to embrace your friends and alumni, it is spring, and time for Nest Fest, UNF’s mid-February Homecoming event.

The Spirit Cup competition this year will be divided into two leagues — Blue and Gray. Gray is for larger teams and Blue for smaller teams. Each league will have its own trophies.

If you aren’t interested in scrambling to every event for spirit points, there is no need to fear– you can watch the tension rise as can castles nearly topple, attend the comedy festival, play at the Wednesday night carnival or enjoy any other of the great events planned for this year’s Nest Fest.

Friday, Feb. 15
Banners Due by 5 p.m.
Reservation desk, SU East 1302

Get those banners in if you’re participating.

Saturday, Feb. 16
Comedy Festival
UNF Arena
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Laughing starts at 8 p.m.

Nest Fest kicks off with a raucous start with Shawn and Marlon Waynans, the headlining comedy duo from White Chicks and the Scary Movie series. The lovely Amy Schumer and the languid but always laughable Hannibal Buress will perform, as well. The soulful Honest John will emcee the event, which is free for students who bring their Osprey 1Card or $15 for non-students

Monday, Feb. 18
Lip Sync
Lazzara Performance Hall
Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Dancing starts at 8 p.m.

Watch your friends and fellow students sing, dance and groove to ‘70s tunes. If you haven’t seen a group of grown men dance to Steely Dan, this is your chance. There are guaranteed to be plenty of fingers pointed to the sky.

Late Night Breakfast
The Green
10 p.m.

Following the routine and revue, breakfast will be served out on the green by the nominated homecoming court. Pancake taco anyone?

Tuesday, Feb. 19
Movie night
Student Union Auditorium
7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

Osprey Productions is teaming up with the Alumni Association to put on “Wreck-It-Ralph,” which will play at two times. The earlier showing will be kid friendly. What to do if you get hungry? Food and drink will be provided.

Wednesday, Feb. 20
Night of Fun
Coxwell Amphitheater
4 – 9 p.m.

Rides, rides, rides. Games, games, games. Fun houses, teddy bear stuffing and everyone’s favorite street sign maker will light up the evening with food, fun and carnival.

Thursday, Feb. 21
Can Castle Competition
Coxwell Amphitheater
Stacking from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It’s not just cans this year — anything acceptable at the Lend-A-Wing Food Pantry is fair game for these cathedrals of donated items. “It’s tipping, it’s tipping!”

Basketball game
UNF arena
Game starts at 7 p.m.

Watch our Ospreys play against ETSU, and at halftime see the homecoming king and queen get announced. Bring your Osprey 1Card for entry.

Friday, Feb. 22
VC and CHIC Be-YOU-Tiful Fashion Show
Student Union ballrooms
Strutting starts at 8 p.m.

Students walk the runway to show that beauty is more than what’s on a magazine cover. If that isn’t sweet enough for you, there will be free desserts and drinks provided.

Saturday, Feb. 23
Party Gras Parade
UNF Arena, floats start at Lot 14
Parade from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Colorful floats and the Military Veterans Resource Center will take part in the Party Gras parade. The parade will start at Lot 14 and end at the Student Union. Afterward, balloon animals, food and music and a towering stilt walker will help keep the party going.

“Swoopgating” Tailgating for UNF Basketball
Lot 18
2 – 4 p.m

If you still have some party in you, head to Lot 18 and get pumped for the basketball double-header celebration. Tents and furniture are welcome for the tailgating. The first 250 students get free food and drink, and of course there will be $1 beers for those of age.

Basketball Double-Header
UNF Arena
Women play at 2 p.m.
Men play at 4:30

Cheer on our basketball teams as they take on USC Upstate. After the men’s game, you’ll get to see who wins the Spirit Cup. Bring your Osprey 1Card for entry.

Sources: Homecoming Director Kayleigh Harrison, 2013 Homecoming Packet

Email Jason Howard at reporter3@unfspinnaker.com

Apparently, the Wayans brothers are health nuts but like their liquor. Here are a few of the things they asked for in their dressing room:

In dressing room:
8 bottles of low calorie grape gatorade
24 “Yogi” Organic hot tea bags
From Whole Foods market only:
2 whole organic rotisserie chickens in a bag
4 boxes brown rice veggie sushi rolls (no fish)
One 1.75L bottle of coconut Ciroc
One 1.75L bottle of Red Berry Ciroc
One 1.75L bottle of Patron Silver
One 1.75L bottle of Grey Goose
2 bottles of Boxer by Mollydooker Shiraz

However, the brothers will have to find another source for their buzz, as the university does not provide alcohol.