#BirdofMouth student blogger Dana Gleason is a senior public relations major.
While Homecoming at Illinois State is the largest gathering of alumni returning to campus each year, it’s also a weeklong campus celebration with plenty for students to do.
With events planned the entire week leading up to Saturday’s big celebration, it is easily one of the most exciting weeks at Illinois State. There’s even a free app just for Homecoming.
For you future Redbirds, here are the top student events happening during Homecoming 2014 to give you something to look forward to next year. Be sure to follow #RedbirdHomecoming on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see all of the fun around campus!
HOMECOMING KICKOFF
6–8 p.m. Monday, September 29 | Quad
Enjoy free food and live music at the annual Kickoff on the Quad, where the Illinois State Homecoming Court will be announced. Opening remarks from University President Larry Dietz and Redbird Athletics kick off Illinois State Homecoming the right way.
REDBIRD RUMBLE
7–9 p.m. Tuesday, September 30 | Hancock Stadium
You can get your friends together for the ultimate team competition throwdown at Hancock Stadium. Compete in intramural sports with your friends. If basketball, volleyball, and the human knot sound fun to you, come join the fun. (Bonus points if your team is sporting matching homemade uniforms.)
Students compete at Homecoming’s Redbird Rumble.
CARNIVAL
7–11 p.m. Wednesday, October 1 | Bone Student Center
There is a ton of free carnival food and games, a caricature artist, a henna tattoo artist, psychic readings, and a performance by ISU’s Gamma Phi Circus. We promise this party will get you into the Homecoming state of mind.
PARADE
10 a.m. Saturday, October 4 | Begins at College Avenue and University Street
Bring your lawn chairs and school spirit to this hometown event. In traditional fashion, there will be floats, bands, Illinois State student groups, and more on display from all around the Bloomington-Normal community. And yes, there will be candy. (If you’re an early bird, you can participate in the annual Town and Gown 5K before the parade starts.)
Red Alert is the 2013 and 2014 Naismith MVC Student Section of the Year.
REGGIE’S TAILGATE TENT
Here’s the deal on tailgating: It will be crowded. It will be loud. It will be awesome. Have no fear, there’s a spot for everyone at the Homecoming tailgate. All students can stop by Reggie’s Tailgate for free food, live music, pictures at the photo booth, door prizes, games, and more. The best part is it’s totally free for students!
REDBIRD FOOTBALL
This year our Illinois State Redbirds face off against South Dakota State. Students take the fun from the tailgate to the game as members of Red Alert, the two-time Missouri Valley Conference Student Section of the Year.
#BirdofMouth student blogger Dana Gleason is a senior public relations major. Read more #BirdofMouth posts.
Glory to universities supporting such great events. This is the most bright part of studying process and maybe of the whole juvenescence. Illinois seems to be the most remarkable example.