Several activities, new parade route planned for Purdue Homecoming

October 12, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Homecoming 2011 will feature a full week of activities for students and the public. Included will be a traditional pep rally, a new parade route and family events.

The events kick off Monday (Oct. 17) and conclude with the Homecoming football game against the University of Illinois at noon on Oct. 22 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

The celebration includes:

      * Voting for Homecoming king and queen, open only to Purdue students, will take place from Oct. 13-20 online at http://www.purdue.edu/getinvolved. Vote for one king and one queen candidate. A list of all the candidates, along with their photographs and profiles, is available at http://www.union.purdue.edu/HTML/PSUB/HomecomingCandidates.aspx

      * The Homecoming Kickoff Cookout from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday (Oct. 17) on the front lawn of Purdue Memorial Union. Students showing Purdue identification can get free food and participate in games. Food will be first come, first served.

      * The Hero Bowl at Purdue Memorial Union's Rack and Roll from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 18). Free bowling, billiards and food will be available for students with Purdue identification.

      * A blood drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom. You can sign up at http://www.donorpoint.org/index.cfm?group=expand=op&expand=70794&zc=47906

      * Homecoming Trivia Night from 8-10 p.m. Oct. 20 at Pappy's Sweet Shop in the Purdue Memorial Union. Teams of students will compete in a themed trivia contest.

      * The Boilermaker Night Train Parade will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 21, with a new route that will start in Chauncey Village and go throughout campus. The route will begin at Northwestern Avenue and West Columbia Street, go south on Northwestern Avenue, west on State Street before turning north on Martin Jischke Drive and ending at Stadium Drive and Slayter Hill. The parade will feature floats and walking and motorized units decorated with this year's theme, "A Hero's Homecoming."

      * A pep rally at 9 p.m. Oct. 21 on Slayter Hill, featuring football coach Danny Hope. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band and the Purdue Spirit Squad will perform. The Homecoming queen and king will be announced, followed by fireworks.

      * A family-friendly Celebration on Stadium Mall from 9-11 a.m. before the game on Oct. 22. Events will stretch from the Stadium Avenue arch and along Stadium Mall. Colleges and schools will have tents or open houses. Games and inflatables will be available for children near the fountain on the Purdue Mall.

Entertainers will perform during the event, including the "All-American" Marching Band, joined by "All-American" Marching Band alumni, the Glee Club and the Black Voices of Inspiration. The Homecoming queen and king will be introduced.

At the conclusion of the Celebration on the Mall, the "All-American" Marching Band will lead a march to the stadium.

The parade, pep rally, blood drive and Celebration on the Mall are free and open to the public. Food will be available for purchase at the family-friendly event.

More details on Homecoming events are available at http://www.purdue.edu/giving/events/homecoming/
     
Writer:  Greg McClure, 765-496-9711, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Source: Margie Jones, Program Manager, Purdue Memorial Union, 765-494-8907, mctucker@purdue.edu