Homecoming stands out as the greatest orange-and-white celebration on the UT calendar for both students and alumni. This year’s festivities culminate on Saturday, November 9, when faculty, staff, and students from different colleges, offices, and organizations across campus welcome back thousands of lifelong Vol fans.
“Cirque du Rocky Top” is this year’s Homecoming theme.
Presented by the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development, Homecoming activities will begin on Friday, November 8, with the annual parade at 4:00 p.m. Alumna Carol Aebersold, creator of the popular children’s book The Elf on the Shelf, will serve as parade grand marshal.
The parade also will showcase student organizations’ floats and the fourth annual Little Vol Walk, children ages ten and younger riding on decorated wagons, strollers, or tricycles.
Homecoming’s signature event, Party in the Park, will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday in Circle Park. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, cheers by the pep band and cheerleaders, the world’s largest Moon Pie, and children’s activities. The cost is $12 per adult, $8 for children age 10 and under.
The football Vols then clash with the Auburn University Tigers in Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.
Colleges and student organizations also will host reunion activities throughout the weekend. For a list of all event details including registration information, visit volsconnect.com. The schedule of events includes:
Friday, November 8
Parade
4:00 p.m.
The parade route begins at the Rock at Pat Head Summitt Street and travels east on Volunteer Boulevard.
The Elf on the Shelf® TV Special Screening
Thirty minutes after conclusion of the parade
Circle Park
Contact: Susie Orr at sorr@utfi.org or 865-974-3011
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Open House
5:00 to 6:30 pm
Contact: Susie Orr at sorr@utfi.org or 865-974-3011
College of Social Work Annual Homecoming Gala
Rothchild Catering and Conference Center
6:00 p.m. social and 7:00 p.m. dinner
$30 per person
Contact: Karla Edwards at kedwards@utk.edu or 865-974-3176
Homecoming Comedy Show Featuring Gary Owen, Robert Powell, and Gene Harding
7:00 p.m.
Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center
$20 per person
Contact: Office of Multicultural Student Life at 865-974-6861
Saturday, November 9
Party in the Park
9:00 a.m.
Circle Park
Cost: $12 per adult, $8 per child (ten and under)
Contact: Susie Orr at sorr@utfi.org or 865-974-3011
UT’s Oldest and Newest Vol: Dinosaur Meet and Greet at McClung Museum
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture
Contact: Christina Selk at 865-974-2144
College of Business Administration Tailgate
9:00 a.m.
Haslam Business Building
Cost: $10 per person
Contact: Meredith Hulette at mhulette@utk.edu or 865-974-7392
College of Communication and Information Alumni Celebration Tailgate
9:00 a.m.
Communication and University Extension Building
Contact: Karen Robinette at krobine2@utk.edu or 865-974-0463
College of Engineering Annual Alumni Homecoming Barbecue
9:00 a.m.
Courtyard between Ferris and Perkins Halls
Cost: $12 per adult, $8 per child (ten and under)
Contact: Christina Parsons at engrdev@utk.edu or 865-974-2779
College of Law Barbecue
9:00 a.m.
College of Law Patio
Cost: $15 per adult, $5 per child (three to twelve years old)
Contact: Lauren Herbstritt at LKH@utk.edu or 865-974-6691
Pre-Game Faculty Showcase: “Making the Cuts: Austerity Policies and Their Social Implications” by Jon Shefner, professor and head, Department of Sociology
10:00 a.m.
University Center Ballroom, Room 213
Contact: Lynn Champion at 865-974-5332
Come Home to Psychology
10:00 a.m.
Austin Peay Building
Contact: Deborah Welsh at dwelsh@utk.edu
UT College Admissions: Tips for Alumni & Legacies
10:30 a.m.
McClung Museum Auditorium
Contact: Tom Broadhead at broadhea@utk.edu or 865-974-2184
Homecoming Chili Cookoff
Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Melrose Courtyard
Contact: Donna Braquet at lgbtacenter@utk.edu or 865-974-7803
Black Cultural Center Annual Festival and Tailgate
Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Black Cultural Center
Contact: Black Cultural Programming Committee at 865-974-6861
Fourteenth Annual Southeastern Stompfest
7:00 p.m.
Knoxville Civic Center
$25 per person
Contact: Office of Multicultural Student Life at 865-974-6861
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C O N T A C T:
Katherine Saxon (865-974-8365, ksaxon@utk.edu)