Mums have become a staple for the homecoming season. | Photo by FTWtoday
If you’re from Texas, you already know homecoming season is 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.
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. Fast forward to 2023 — when a Lewisville mum broke a Guinness World Record.
Customize a homecoming mum for Editor Elizabeth
Editor Elizabeth, here — as some of you know, I grew up in central Arkansas until the age of 26, when I moved here to Fort Worth. Because I didn’t attend high school in Texas, I never got to have a homecoming mum.
From learning about homecoming mums above, we know that they’re associated with schools, but let’s think outside of the box. Tap the button below to make me a mum.
Asked
Asked
Help us create a homecoming mum for Editor Elizabeth.
Let’s make it entirely Fort Worth-themed, starting with the colors. Which colors should we make our Fort Worth homecoming mum? A. Purple and white — for TCU pride B. Navy and copper — gotta match the city’s flag C. Black and white — a classic cow print D. A wild mix of all of the above
Attend tonight’s City Council meeting at 6 p.m. to hear the approved FY26 tax rate and Fort Worth’s 2026 operating budget. Don’t have time to attend? No worries — we’ll share the information with you in our newsletter this week. See more items on the agenda.
Coming Soon
After its spring announcement, Dan’s Bagels finally teased the upcoming FTW store on Instagram. According to the Reel, in “just a few more weeks,” you’ll be able to get scratch-made sourdough bagels at the corner of Forest Park Boulevard and Park Hill Avenue. We’re so excited at FTWtoday.
Biz
Fort Worth’s Tandy Leather Factory Inc. announced it’ll open up a flagship store and classroom in Artisan Circle in January. The store at the previous headquarters will remain open until December, offering closeout sales + limited-time deals. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Ranked
According to CoworkingCafe, Fort Worth is one of the top rising powerhouses in the US, based on percentage growth in exports and increase in the city’s gross domestic product. Cowtown ranked No. 5 on its list of best large cities for economic growth, with Austin at No. 1 — hey, ATXtoday. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
Sports
A TCU Horned Frog and Dallas Cowboys double-win in one weekend? Too good to be true. Or is it? Follow WFAA sportscaster Jonah Javad for all the post-coverage on North Texas sports.
Listen
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is the AP Rookie of the Year, with 692 points and 194 assists — the third-best rookie totals in WNBA history. Stay tuned for the revamped Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast, delivering top stories and hot topics every weekday.
Read
Stay sharp and informed with The Signal’s free daily newsletter with global context and critical perspective. Join 100,000+ subscribers when you sign up today.*
Older Adults
If you need extra cash flow in retirement, a reverse mortgage could help. These loans let homeowners 62 and older convert part of their home’s equity into tax-free cash, while keeping the title (given you live in the home and maintain upkeep). Explore top reverse mortgage providers.*
Mayor Mattie Parker declared it’s Iron Skillet Week in Fort Worth. This Saturday’s TCU vs. SMU matchup will be the rivalry’s last, and she’s urging Horned Frog fans to come in all-white.
She’s also placed a friendly bet with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson — the losing mayor will donate to a local charity of their choice.
If a little friendly competition doesn’t get you out of the house and into the stands, maybe an appetizing purple snack will. While you’re there, try TCU’s new purple Korean corn dog — found at section 109 of the Amon G. Carter Stadium. Go Frogs.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I feel like I missed out on this bit of Texas culture, and it’s time to catch up. I’d love to order a homecoming mum now to make up for lost time. Then I can call myself a true Texan — isn’t that how that works? Help me come up with a design for it by participating in this week’s poll. I may reveal the final product in an upcoming newsletter.
}})
