Kingston Prepares for Student “Foco” Festivities Following Homecoming

Queen’s University recently celebrated its official Homecoming weekend, welcoming alumni back to campus for festivities that included a football game and various social events. However, the city of Kingston anticipates a second wave of celebrations known as “foco,” short for “fauxcoming,” in the coming days. This trend, which began in 2021, has raised concerns among local officials about potential challenges associated with large gatherings.

Anthony Colangeli, the media relations coordinator with the Kingston Police, explained that the timing of Homecoming has shifted to the end of the fall reading week. Consequently, many students who were not present during the official weekend have opted to host their own celebrations. “As a result of this scheduling, students have opted to host ‘Fauxcoming’ or ‘FOCO’ festivities,” Colangeli stated. He noted that this trend has required local authorities to prepare for significant gatherings on two consecutive weekends, leading to additional logistical and financial challenges.

Steve Mothersell, the manager of enforcement services for the City of Kingston, emphasized the city’s readiness for the upcoming parties. “We’ve been preparing all year for hoco and foco,” he said. This preparation involves collaboration with various organizations, including Queen’s University’s Alma Mater Society, Queen’s campus security, and emergency services such as Frontenac Paramedics and Kingston Fire and Rescue. “It’s pretty much rinse and repeat year after year,” Mothersell added.

To address potential issues arising from student gatherings, the city has implemented the University District Safety Initiative, effective until November 2. This program aims to promote safe behavior among students during peak party times, such as Homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day. The initiative allows Kingston Police and city officials to address violations of local bylaws and discourage illegal parties through fines and court summons.

In an effort to educate students, the Kingston Police Public Liaison team has been proactively engaging with residents. “The Kingston Police Public Liaison team has been out all week doing door knocks leading into foco,” said Mothersell. This outreach is intended to inform students about local bylaws and encourage safe celebrations.

The tradition of Homecoming at Queen’s University dates back decades, initially stemming from an annual football game against the University of Toronto’s Varsity Blues. The first official reunion took place in 1926, attracting 870 alumni. The event was originally held for an entire week but evolved into a weekend celebration as attendance primarily occurred during that time. Notably, the event was known as “Reunion weekend” until the 1950s when it was renamed by students.

While the Homecoming festivities have long been a source of pride, they have also faced challenges over the years. The weekend of October 24-26 in 1986 marked a significant turning point when Kingston’s Chief of Police, Gerald Rice, reported 88 arrests and numerous liquor-related tickets. This led to a warning that future Homecoming events would face stricter regulation if rowdy behavior continued.

In more recent years, incidents of unruly behavior have persisted, including a notable near-riot during a street party in September 2005. The escalating issues prompted officials to implement stricter measures to ensure safety during Homecoming, including increased police presence and community engagement.

Despite the challenges posed by the foco trend, Queen’s University maintains that its official Homecoming weekend continues to thrive. “Homecoming at Queen’s is an alumni celebration focused on connection and community,” a statement from the university said. “This year marks one of our highest attended Homecoming weekends, reflecting a steady increase in alumni engagement over the past three years.”

With the expectation of another busy weekend ahead, Mothersell acknowledges the reality of the situation. “I don’t think foco is going away,” he stated, expressing confidence in the city’s preparedness for the festivities. As local authorities brace for another wave of student celebrations, the focus remains on promoting safety and responsible behavior within the community.