It's the week we've all been waiting for. Midterms are over, the weather is perfect, and Homecoming/Halloweekend is on the horizon. Nobody is looking more forward to this weekend than the community of James Madison University. It's time for students and alumni to share our love for the purple and gold and celebrate the university we've all come to call home. If Homecoming wasn't enough for us, we've got Halloween to celebrate too. Here' a list of things you can expect to happen in Shenandoah Valley in the upcoming days.

1. Purple and gold. EVERYWHERE.

Expect dining staff to be decked out in their favorite JMU gear. Don't be alarmed when your cookies are purple and do get so excited that you only wear JMU apparel for the next 7 days.

2. Proud Alumni.

You'll be seeing plenty of these stickers this week for alumni returning to their favorite place. You may catch them in SSC conducting important meetings with other alumni. Feel free to say hello and find out what they do. It's really important to build connections with people who could be the deciding factor about who gets that job interview!

3. A packed stadium on Saturday.

Nothing like football rivalries to get you close to who you thought were strangers. Get your streamers and noise makers, your corn hole and ladder ball sets, your grills and your tents. It's going to be one hell of a Saturday in Harrisonburg!

4. Landscapers working their hardest.

It's like cleaning your room before your parents come to visit. We want the campus to look beautiful for all of our visitors.

5. The best food JMU Dining Services has to offer.

Saturday morning E-hall is going to be a little cramped, but the wait will be worth it when you get the best food to cure your hangover.

6. Halloween parties every single night.

It doesn't matter if it's Monday or Saturday, expect costumes to roam the streets every night this week.

7. Emptier classrooms.

Well, because everyone is going out all week, expect your classrooms to feel a bit emptier. Professors know what's going on too, so, uh, don't be the one who doesn't come to class.

8. Lots of pumpkin photos.

Expect to see photos from pumpkin patches, carving pics, and fall photos galore.

9. Subsequently, SO. Many. Costumes.

Your Instagram feed will cover costumes like these, but also some really clever ones too! Make sure to post your own too, and get all that social media love.

Happy Homecoming and Happy Halloween!

Have fun this weekend and stay safe Dukes!