October 23, 2008
Homecoming parade, pep rally are tonight
A parade and pep rally are set for this evening (Oct. 24) to help celebrate Purdue's Homecoming weekend. Game time is noon Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium, where the Boilermakers will take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The eighth annual Boilermaker Night Train parade will begin at 8 p.m. at the corner of McCormick Road and Indiana 26 (State Street). The parade route will go north on McCormick Road, turn east on Third Street, head north on Martin Jischke Drive, turn west on Stadium Avenue and end at Slayter Hill. The parade will feature floats by student and community groups and will include both walking and motorized entries.
A pep rally on Slayter Hill will follow the parade around 9 p.m. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band and Purdue cheerleaders will perform. Fireworks are scheduled to begin immediately after the pep rally.
The Homecoming king and queen will be crowned during the pep rally and will be introduced during halftime of the Purdue-Minnesota game on Saturday (Oct. 25).
On Saturday morning, a celebration will be held 9-11 a.m. on Purdue Mall, featuring more than 40 tents housing displays by colleges, schools, departments and divisions.
Performances by musical groups and other artists will be featured on the stage between Schleman Hall and the Heine Pharmacy Building on Stadium Mall Drive.
Scheduled acts include the Purdue Juggler and Unicycle Club, the Black Voices of Inspiration and the Purduettes.
President France A. Córdova will make remarks on the stage at 11 a.m.
The Purdue Mall festivities will end with President Córdova and first gentleman Chris Foster leading the "All-American" Marching Band and Purdue alumni and friends to Ross-Ade Stadium for kickoff.