September 23, 2009
Purdue Homecoming week has something for everyone
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Homecoming 2009 will feature a full week of activities for students and the public, adults and children. Included are a traditional pep rally, parade, fireworks and family events.The events begin Monday (Sept. 28) and conclude with the Homecoming football game against Northwestern University at noon on Saturday (Oct. 3) at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Here's a look at the festivities:
* The Homecoming Kickoff Cookout will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday on Memorial Mall. Students showing Purdue identification can get free food and participate in games.
* The Homecoming CandiDATE Auction will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Purdue Memorial Union Commons. Students with Purdue identification can bid on dates with the Homecoming queen and king candidates. Highest bidders will receive date packages provided by local businesses. Proceeds will benefit the Lynn Treece Boys and Girls Club of Tippecanoe County.
* A blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Purdue Memorial Union's second floor faculty lounges. Students and the public are urged to donate.
* The Boilermaker Night Train Parade begins at 8 p.m. Friday on McCormick Road at State Street. It will head north to Third Street, east to Martin Jischke Drive, north to Stadium Avenue and west to Slayter Hill. The parade will feature floats and walking and motorized units.
* A pep rally and fireworks on Slayter Hill will begin about 9 p.m., following the parade. Football coach Danny Hope will be at the pep rally, and the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band, cheerleaders, Glee Club, Purduettes and Purdue Bells will perform. The Homecoming queen and king also will be announced. Profiles of the queen and king candidates are available at http://www.union.purdue.edu/HTML/PSUB/HomecomingCandidates.aspx
* A family-friendly Celebration on the Mall will run from 9-11 a.m. before the game on Saturday. Events will stretch from Lambert Fieldhouse across Stadium Avenue and along Purdue Mall toward Hovde Hall. Colleges and schools will have tents or open houses. Games, inflatables, animals from Columbian Park Zoo and temporary tattoos will entertain children. Members of the women's basketball and volleyball teams will sign autographs.
Entertainers will perform on a stage near Armstrong Hall. Included will be Purdue Juggler & Unicycle Club, Samulnori Drummers, Shaker Chimes, Magic by Blake, Black Voices of Inspiration, and Purdue Varsity Glee Club. The Homecoming queen and king will be introduced.
At the end of the Celebration on the Mall, the "All-American" Marching Band will be joined by band alumni in leading a march to the stadium.
The parade, pep rally, fireworks and Celebration on the Mall are free and open to the public. Food will be available for purchase at the Saturday morning event.
More details on Homecoming events are available at www.purdue.edu/homecoming
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Sources: Catharine Adair, University Development Office, 765-496-2160, cadair@purdue.edu
Chad Johnson, Purdue Alumni Association, 765-494-2603, chadj@purdue.edu
Margie Tucker, Purdue Student Union Board, 765-494-8907, mctucker@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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