Homecoming at Iowa State is full of traditions, and the Towers residence halls are no exception.

For at least 20 years, the Towerrs Residence Association has been hosting the annual Light Up the Towers display.

On Thursday from 8:15 to 9 p.m., students on the east sides of Wallace and Knapp Halls will be asked to turn their lights on or off to spell a message in the windows of the buildings. Messages in past years have included GO ISU, TRA and BEAT IU.

This year the windows will spell BEAT B.U., a reference to Baylor, ISU’s Homecoming opponent.

“Light Up the Towers has not always been for Homecoming. In past years, TRA decided to do it during the Iowa State vs. Iowa game and on Veishea,” said Jeremy Smith, TRA programming chair.

This year, TRA committees are doing more to publicize the event. They have posted fliers and have talked to as many people as possible to make sure Light Up the Towers is a success.

Smith said the event has not always worked as planned because of a lack of communication. This year, he said, all the bases have been covered. He plans to station people with 2-way radios inside and outside the buildings to make sure students have their lights on or off.

“It was a fun time. My friends and I had a good time together. We really bonded,” said Andrea Strater, a sophomore in liberal arts and sciences who attended the event last year.

Hot apple cider and cocoa will be provided during the display. People who see the show should meet on the intramural field east of Towers.

“This year we are expecting approximately 200 spectators. We encourage everybody to attend. It is going to be a good time,” Smith said.