How To Get Involved During Homecoming Week At The University of Illinois

By Alexandra Brown on October 27, 2014

Homecoming week is something most big colleges, or at least colleges with a football team get to enjoy every year in the fall, and is always enjoyable for students, as well as faculty, community members, and alumni. It’s one of those things to love about a big university.

Homecoming week is a time to enjoy football, and beautiful fall weather, and to embrace your school spirit. Most schools have had the tradition of homecoming since the beginning of the school’s founding, which makes it all the more meaningful.

This Saturday, Oct. 18 marks the beginning of the exciting festivities included throughout this year’s University of Illinois homecoming week! According to our campus’ homecoming history, celebrating this special week has been “One of the most enduring traditions at the University of Illinois,” being held continuously since its birth in 1910.

Spanning from Saturday, Oct. 18 to the following Saturday, Oct. 25, the Illinois Homecoming Committee has organized an abundance of activities and events for everyone, including students, alumni and faculty members to take part in.

Festivities include, but are not limited to: the Illinois Homecoming 5K run, Wear Orange Wednesday, the Illini Block Party, the Homecoming Parade, and the Illinois Homecoming football game. All of the activities are family friendly, and can be enjoyed by anyone who participates.

Below, you can find more information about each event, specifics regarding time and place, as well as how to get involved and show your Illini pride!

http://homecoming.illinois.edu/5k.html

1. 5K Run

One of the first major events in play to celebrate homecoming weekend is the annual 5K run on campus. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. this Sunday, Oct. 19 at the University of Illinois Arboretum, you can get a group of friends or family together and run or walk to show your Illini Homecoming spirit.

All participants are encouraged to come in their best Illini spirit wear, and proceeds from the race go towards supporting the University of Illinois Emergency Dean’s Fund.

https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisSAA/photos/pb.322499620705.-2207520000.1413575684./10152282957735706/?type=3&theater

2. Wear Orange Wednesday

On Wednesdays, we wear pink. But on Wednesday, Oct. 22, you can effortlessly show off your Illinois pride by wearing that distinct Illini orange wherever you go, whether on or off campus.

University of Illinois junior Ana Schcolnik said, “Wear Orange Wednesday is my favorite of the Homecoming activities every year because even though I don’t have time for most of the events, this one’s so easy and fun!”

It barely takes any effort, and is completely doable, which some of the other events may not be, according to your busy schedule.

http://www.news-gazette.com/multimedia/photogallery/2013-10-25/ui-homecoming-2013

3. Illini Block Party

This family-friendly event takes place alongside the parade route on Wright Street on campus from 5:30-7:00 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 24.

Organized by the University of Illinois Alumni Association’s Student Alumni Ambassadors, the Illini Block Party is open to alumni, students and the community.

The event will include games, activities, entertainment and more. So stop by and get in on the fun. Even if you don’t want to participate, it’s still fun to watch!

http://www.news-gazette.com/multimedia/photogallery/2013-10-25/ui-homecoming-2013

4. Homecoming Parade

If you can’t make it to the Illini Block Party, try to catch a glimpse of the Homecoming Parade later that same Friday, starting at 6:00 p.m. The parade begins at Sixth Street and Taft Drive in Champaign, leads through campus, and then turns south on Mathews Avenue in Urbana to end at the Main Quad.

In addition to all the cool floats, you can see the University of Illinois band alumni who are invited to perform in the parade with the Bands Alumni Network.

http://www.news-gazette.com/multimedia/photogallery/2013-10-25/ui-homecoming-2013

5. Illinois vs. Minnesota Homecoming Football Game

On Saturday, Oct. 25 the Illinois Fighting Illini will face the Minnesota Gophers for its 104th homecoming football game. With a current Big Ten conference record of 2-0, Minnesota may have a slight advantage over our Fighting Illini, whose current conference record is 0-3, but come out and support the team regardless!

Although you may have not been to a lot of games this season, or last season … come out and support the Illini to make it a memorable homecoming game like so many others.

The energy surrounding the environment of the homecoming football games each year always guarantees a great, fun-filled time with friends, family and the Champaign-Urbana community.

“I’m so excited for this game. It’ll be the first game I’ve gone to all year and I’m pumped!” said junior Emily Sheridan.

Although there are many other activities and events going on throughout the week, the above are the most action-filled that will hopefully get you in the Illini spirit. If you can’t make all the events, at least stop by for a few, to show off your school spirit, and enjoy what’s left of the relatively warm weather.

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