Activities abound during Homecoming
Who doesn’t love a good parade? This homecoming tradition starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 at Wisconsin Avenue moving to Gilman Street then State Street. A pep rally and fireworks will follow the parade at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Union Terrace.
Photo: Jeff Miller
Everyone is a Badger during Homecoming Week, and a week’s worth of fun and games from students and the Wisconsin Alumni AssociationWisconsin Alumni Association will rev up spirit levels on campus and in the Madison community before the homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 27. If you don’t have a ticket to the matchup against Indiana, there are plenty of opportunities to show some spirit and make some noise.
Friday, Oct. 19
Library Mall is the place to be from noon-4 p.m., with performances by UW Breakers, Dance Elite, MadHatters and UW Bellydancing.
While there, check out the barge-building competition starting at 1:30 p.m. Contestants will craft a watercraft of cardboard and duct tape. At 3 p.m., head to the Alumni Pier behind the Wisconsin Alumni Association, 650 N. Lake St., to see how lake-worthy the barges are in a race to see how long two “sailors” can stay afloat in their vessels.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Shake your groove thing at a masquerade ball in the atrium of Grainger Hall. Proceeds benefit the Dean of Students Crisis Fund and student scholarships. 8 p.m.-midnight. Admission is $8-$10.
Sunday, Oct. 21
Lace up those kicks for the Homecoming Charity Run/Walk and Kids One-Mile Fun Run. The 5k run/walk course is set along the Lake Mendota shoreline and the UW–Madison campus, starting at Library Mall and ending with a cookout lunch, also at Library Mall. The race starts at 11 a.m. In addition to the 5k run, children 14 and under (and their parents) are welcome to run alongside Bucky in all his furry glory in a one-mile fun run at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $15-$25.
Tuesday, Oct. 23
Groups from student organizations, residence halls, fraternities and sororities will rock out without really rocking out in an air band competition. Each group has two minutes to take a song of their choice and make it their own by lip-synching, dancing and showing off their skills in their own air band. The hilarity takes place in the Memorial Union’s Rathskeller, 7-9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 24
Roll up your sleeve at the Homecoming Blood Drive in the Red Gym’s On Wisconsin Room, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Can’t make it Wednesday? Never fear — the drive continues on Thursday, Oct. 25, also in the On Wisconsin Room.
Friday, Oct. 26
Everyone’s favorite, the Homecoming Parade, features homemade floats, prizes, performances and the UW Marching Band. The parade travels from Wisconsin Avenue to Gilman Street to State Street. Note that the parade will start an hour earlier this year at 5 p.m.
After the parade, mosey to the Memorial Union Terrace at 7 p.m. for a spirited pep rally featuring the UW Band followed by a fireworks show.
A full listing of homecoming events is available at http://www.uwalumni.com/homecoming.