09.13.2024

Today’s Forecast

A Lone Star State tradition

The Texas tradition of homecoming mums

Homecoming mums in Texas come in various shapes, colors, and sizes. | Photo by FTWtoday team

Homecoming season is right around the corner — but if you’re from Texas, you know it’s more than just ribbons, football, and alumni events.

Homecoming mums have been a tradition in Texas since the early 1900s and have since become a statement-making hallmark of high school life in the Lone Star State.

What is a homecoming mum?

For those of you who are new to the area, you might be wondering what we’re talking about. Mums are considered a token of affection — typically given to a girl by her date in honor of homecoming celebrations.

Traditionally, students will wear a mum to school on homecoming Friday, the football game, and other alumni events.

FTW-Whataburger Mum — Whataburger got creative with their mum using stuffed burgers, ribbons, and footballs.
|
Photo via Whataburger

The start of a Texas tradition

According to Texas Highways, the first mums were worn at homecoming in Missouri in 1911. The tradition became popular in Texas in the 1930s when Baylor University hosted the first-ever homecoming celebration in the state.

Back in the day, a mum was a simple chrysanthemum with a few ribbons pinned to a girl’s clothing. Nowadays, the bigger the better.

Artificial flowers have replaced real ones so students can have the mum as a keepsake. Accessories include school-colored ribbons, stuffed animals, bells, battery-operated lights, feathers, and different trinkets highlighting the student’s hobbies.

Although not as elaborate as a girl’s mum, boys will receive a garter to wear on their arm with ribbons and other smaller trinkets similar to a mum.

A blooming business

Today, Texans can turn to professional mum makers to create their homecoming masterpiece. Depending on size and accessories, mums can range anywhere from $10 to upwards of $600 — yes, really $600.

If you’re looking to get one made, here are four local shops around San Antonio:

Asked

Share a photo of your mum for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Submit your mum photo

Events

Friday, Sept. 13

Revolutionary Legacies | Friday, Sept. 13 | 1:30 p.m. | Bexar County Courthouse | Free | Explore the impact of Texas’ independence from Mexico with the Bexar County Heritage Center and special guest UNAM historian Miguel Garcia Audelo.
Flamenco Recital | Friday, Sept. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Jo Long Theater at Carver Community Cultural Center | Free | This two-hour event will feature 40+ dance students from the Berta Almaguer Dance Studio and Community Center.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Cake Thieves Adoption Event | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cake Thieves Bakery | Donations welcome | Donate dog food + supplies or adopt one of five puppies from Busted Mutts Rescue.
Hoops on Houston Street | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Legacy Park | Free | Join this family-friendly basketball block party celebrating the countdown to the 2025 Men’s Final Four and the launch of the Fan Jam with basketball games, face painting, and special appearances.
Women & Art | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | La Cantera Resort & Spa | $20+ | Celebrate five local women artists with live jazz music, small bites, and a complimentary glass of Moët Chandon.
STELLAR: Interactive Portrait Workshop with Bria Woods | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Ruby City | Free | Spend the afternoon with this local photographer learning about the current works on view + the role and responsibility of the portrait photographer.

Sunday, Sept. 15

UNO Champions Tournament | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 3-5 p.m. | Make Ready Market | Free | Go head to head with your neighbors in this tournament for a chance to win prizes.
Viva Dieciséis | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 5-9 p.m. | Historic Pearl | Free | Celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with live presentations, performances, a Grito contest, food + drink, and community.
Girlypop Market Presents: Dream Girls | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 7-11 p.m. | Brick | Cost of purchase | Listen to the sounds of Sabrina Carpenter + Chappell Roan while shopping from 35+ vendors.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Pets

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News Notes

Announced

City council approved the San Antonio Missions new baseball stadium project. The 9-2 vote late yesterday afternoon gave a green light to create a $160 million stadium along San Pedro Creek in downtown. The stadium is slated to open in April 2028. (KSAT 12)

Award

San Antonio’s Hotel Emma received the honor of two MICHELIN Keys. This new prestigious rating for hotels mirrors the stars given to restaurants. The list was announced yesterday during a ceremony in Austin by the Michelin Guide’s CEO Gwendal Poullennec.

Sports

The Spurs released their promotional schedule for the upcoming season. Fans can enjoy dedicated game nights that spotlight + celebrate various causes, special off-site home games, and giveaways. Kick off the season with the Silver and Black on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Arts

The CowParade extended its San Antonio application deadline to Monday, Sep. 16 to attract additional artists. The exhibit will begin next spring, featuring 75 life-sized fiberglass cows around San Antonio — each painted by local artists. Learn more about the initiative and how to apply.

Plan Ahead

The Majestic and Empire Theatres announced six new shows coming to San Antonio. Mark your calendars for shows like “Leon Bridges: Texas Tour” on Thursday, Oct. 10 and “Maria Jose: US Tour” on Feb. 13, 2025. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m.

Festival

The San Antonio Museum of Art is seeking vendors for its Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual shopping event gives visitors the chance to shop from 50+ local artists and makers on Small Business Saturday. Deadline to apply is Monday, Oct. 14

Drink

On The Grind Coffee is offering a Friday the 13th fill-a-tray special. Order four medium drinks for only $13 plus tax today only from 5 p.m. to close. Find your nearest location.

Listen

Will the Cowboys defense be even better in week two against the New Orleans Saints? Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Shop

Level up your fall wardrobe with this stylish and versatile men’s quarter zip sweater. Its sophisticated mock neck design makes it perfect for both casual and formal wear.*

The Word

Balance transfer cards: One of the best-kept secrets for managing credit card debt. This card gives you almost two years to pay off your existing balance, sans interest — plus, that sweet, sweet cash back.*

Environment

Net zero energy coming soon

San Antonio advances zero net energy goal with $30 million solar initiative

San Antonio-based commercial solar company, Big Sun Solar is developing the program with the City of San Antonio. | Photo by Big Sun Solar

Remember when Big Sun Solar won a $30 million contract from the City of San Antonio last year?

The largest on-site solar program by a local Texas government is currently under construction in San Antonio. The $30 million initiative will include the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic’s and solar canopy shade structures at various City-owned facilities.

The move will bring San Antonio closer to its 2040 goal of achieving carbon neutrality for all municipal buildings.

The City hosted a kick off community event earlier this month at the Southwest Service Center that featured the venue’s solar canopies, providing 200 covered parking spaces for City employees.

Check out six of the 42 municipal projects already commissioned:

Jean Yates Community Center, rooftop installation
Southside Lions Senior Center, rooftop installation
West Police Substation, parking lot canopy installation
Pre-K 4 SA East, rooftop installation
Melendrez Community Center, rooftop installation
Southwest Service Center, parking lot canopy installation

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Adriana

From the editor

I was digging through my Facebook photo archives in search of my homecoming mum from my senior year at Clark HS. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of me wearing the enormous, white + silver mum, but it’s still hanging in my childhood bedroom. I can’t wait to see your mums.

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