The Patriot Activities Council, Mason Athletics, Student Involvement, and the Alumni Association, together with the City of Fairfax, are sponsoring the GMU homecoming festivities.
Among the celebrations is the Paint the City Green event where Fairfax City businesses are partnering with GMU student organizations, clubs, fraternities and sororities, and athletic groups in a homecoming-window decorating competition to spread Mason spirit. Windows are painted in Mason’s green and gold.
The participating businesses will have their window decorations on display through Thursday, Feb. 20. The businesses include:
- 21 Great American Bistro, 10427 North Street
- CFCC & Earp’s Ordinary, 10426 Main Street
- East Wind, 10414 Main Street
- Havabite Eatery, 10416 Main Street
- Massage Green Spa, 3950 University Drive
- Old Firestation #3, 3988 University Drive
- Pampa Sa-zone Latin Cuisine, 3950 University Drive
- Red Effect Infrared Fitness, 3950 University Drive
- Smash’d Creamery, 10427 North Street
- The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road
- Yogaworks Fairfax, 3950 University Drive.
Another part of the partnership between GMU and the city is a program called Patriots in the City where GMU students and alumni get to enjoy discounts up to 20 percent at Fairfax City businesses through Feb. 22. Students will need to show their Mason ID and alumni can get a pass from the university to receive the discounts at the participating businesses.
Businesses participating in the Patriots in the City discount program include:
- 21 Great American Bistro
- Chubby Squirrel Brewing Company
- Coyote Grille
- Dante Salon & Wellness Spa
- DeClieu Coffee
- DIY Scent Studio
- East Wind
- Fairfax Veterinary Hospital
- Ground Gaia
- Havabite Eatery
- Joy Unlimited
- King Kabob
- Massage Green Spa
- Old Firestation
- Ornery Beer Company
- Pacers Running
- Paint Your Own Pottery
- Pampa Sa-zone Latin Cuisine
- Patriots Pub & Grill
- Red Effect Infrared Fitness
- Room Escape
- Smash’d Creamery
- Tandoori Nights Fairfax
- The Auld Shebeen
- The Wine House
- Twins Ace Hardware
- Woody’s Ice Cream
- Yogaworks Fairfax
- Zandra’s Taqueria
A tip-off party with live music, free food and special guests kicked off the homecoming celebration Tuesday night, which is followed by a day of service on Wednesday where students can donate blood or give items that will be distributed to people in need in the Fairfax area.
The Patriots’ men’s basketball team plays George Washington University Saturday afternoon at EagleBank Arena followed by a lip sync battle in the evening at Dewberry Hall. The homecoming celebrations will continue into next week when George Mason’s women’s basketball team plays the University of Richmond on Feb. 19 at EagleBank Arena. The official homecoming game will take place Feb. 22 when the men’s basketball team takes on St. Joseph’s University at EagleBank Arena.
GMU’s 2020 homecoming headliner is comedian Colin Jost of Saturday Night Live who will be performing Feb. 20 at the George Mason University for the Arts.