Purdue University's Homecoming 2013 will feature activities for students and the public. Included will be a parade, a pep rally with a new time and day, and family events.
Activities kick off Monday (Sept. 23) and conclude with the Homecoming football game against the University of Northern Illinois at noon on Sept. 28.
The theme for this year's Homecoming is "Coming Home."
The celebration includes:
* Voting for Homecoming king and queen, open only to Purdue students. Voting began Sept. 18 and concludes Sept. 26 online at http://www.purdue.edu/b-involved. 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/studentevents/events/specialevents/Homecoming.html#events
* The Homecoming Kickoff Cookout from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday (Sept. 23) on the front lawn of Purdue Memorial Union. Students showing Purdue identification can get free food and participate in games. Food will be served first come, first served.
* A food drive drop-off from noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 25) in the Purdue Memorial South Ballroom. The Purdue Student Union Board and Food Finders Food Bank are sponsoring the event. The goal of the canned goods drive is 500 pounds.
* Trivia Night, featuring teams of six people competing to show off their knowledge of the 1990s, will be from 8-10 p.m. Sept. 26 in the PMU Commons. There will be seven rounds with categories ranging from '90s movies to '90s Purdue history. The event is free and open to the public. Only students with Purdue ID will be eligible to win prizes.
* The Boilermaker Night Train Parade will begin at 8 p.m. Sept. 27. The route will begin at the corner of Pierce and State Street, head west on State Street, north on Martin Jischke Drive, go east on Third Street before turning north on University Street and ending at Mackey Arena. The parade will feature floats, along with walking and motorized units decorated with this year's theme, "Coming Home." Participants will include the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band and will be led by Purdue President Mitch Daniels. To view the parade route, visit http://www.union.purdue.edu/studentevents/events/specialevents/Homecoming.html#events
* New this year will be the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen during the 211˚ Session at 9:49 a.m. Sept 28 in Mackey Arena. The rally will feature the "All-American" Marching Band, coach Darrell Hazell and the Purdue football team.
* A family-friendly celebration between the Armstrong Hall of Engineering and Schleman Hall of Student Services on Stadium Mall from 9-11 a.m. before the game on Sept. 28. There will be entertainment during the event, including the Black Voices of Inspiration, the Patty Jischke Bright Horizons Center Children's Group, the Purdue University Dance Marathon, the Varsity Glee Club and appearances by the "All-American" Marching Band and the "All-American" Alumni Band. Also featured will be the 2013 induction class of the Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame and a military appreciation tribute. There also will be activity tents hosted by colleges, schools and units across campus and food vendors.
The parade, pep rally, food drive and celebration are free and open to the public.
More details on Homecoming events are available at http://www.purdue.edu/giving/events/homecoming/