Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia will serve up a week of fun, food and football as students, alumni and Bulldog fans celebrate Homecoming Oct. 28-Nov. 3.
“Bulldog Pride Worldwide” is the theme of this year’s festivities sponsored by the Student Homecoming Committee, a part of the University Union. Activities include events for students throughout the week, the Homecoming Parade, reunions and social events for alumni and the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen at the Georgia-Troy State football game.
Festivities begin at midnight Oct. 28 when students gather for street painting on Sanford Drive. Other student events during the week will feature games, music, dancing, food, giveaways and t-shirt sales. Activities include the Homecoming Extravaganza on Oct. 29 on the Tate Plaza; the Brumby Beach Bash Oct. 30 on Brumby Beach; the Homecoming block party Oct. 31 on Legion Field; and a showing of the movie “Friday Night Lights” Nov. 1 on Legion Field. All student events are free; more information is available at http://www.uga.edu/union/events.htm.
Larry Munson will be grand marshal for the Homecoming Parade Nov. 2, which will step off at 6 p.m. and wind through downtown Athens. Led by the Redcoat Marching Band, the parade will include floats, displays and appearances by Uga VI, the UGA cheerleaders, athletes and university and Athens dignitaries.
Following the parade there will be a Dawgs After Dark carnival on Legion Field.
Students will vote online during the week to choose the Homecoming King and Queen from among 10 students on the Homecoming Court. The King and Queen will be crowned during halftime of the Georgia-Troy football game in Sanford Stadium Nov. 3.
The Alumni Association’s “Destroy Troy” barbeque will be Nov. 2, 6:30-9 p.m., at the Wray-Nicholson House. John Dunn and the Jazzmen will provide music and the cheerleaders and Hairy Dog will attend. There will be a bounce house and games for children. Details are available by contacting Wanda Darden at wdarden@uga.edu.
Several schools, colleges and other organizations will hold Homecoming events. They include:
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources: On Nov. 2, the school will hold a golf tournament and tours of the school and its Whitehall Mansion. A dedication ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. for “Archie’s Chapel,” a room in the school’s Building 1 that honors the late Archie Patterson, a long-time faculty member. An alumni dinner will include presentation of the Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Young Alumnus awards and Warnell staff awards. On Nov. 3, the school’s alumni association will meet at 8 a.m. and there will be a barbeque at Flinchum’s Phoenix at 10 p.m. Additional information: contact Bridget Harden, bharden@warnell.uga.edu.
College of Pharmacy: A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the school to mark the start of construction on a $42.9 million addition to the school. A reception will follow on Brooks Mall. On Nov. 3, a professional continuing education course on safe drug disposal will be held at 8 a.m. Beginning at 9 a.m., the school’s graduating classes of 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002 will hold reunions and there will be a Homecoming tailgate on Brooks Mall. Registration and additional information: 706/542-5303.
School of Law: The school’s graduating classes of 1972 and 1977 will hold reunion activities on Nov. 2 and 3. A barbeque Nov. 3 beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the North Campus quadrangle in front of the school will include recognition of the classes of 1957, 1962, 1967, 1982, 1987 and 1992. Registration and additional information: www.law.uga.edu/alumni.
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences: The college and UGA’s study abroad program in Oxford, England, will hold a tailgate Nov. 3 in honor of Susan Gillingham, a lecturer at Worcester College of Oxford. It will be at 10:30 a.m. on the Park Hall patio. Information: 706/542-1168.
School of Public and International Affairs: The school will hold its first annual Homecoming BBQ Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Candler Hall. SPIA alumni, faculty and staff are invited. Reservations and information: 706/542-9661, spiagrad@uga.edu.
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication: A Homecoming tailgate will be held Nov. 3 beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the lawn in front of the college. There will be a band and a booth featuring Grady College clothes items for sale. Information and registration: www.grady.uga.edu/homecoming.
UGA Engineering Club: The club will hold a tailgate on the morning of Nov. 3 at the Driftmier Engineering Center for engineering alumni and parents of engineering students. The club also will have a float in the Homecoming Parade.