Homecoming week will feature a variety of fun activities for UM students, faculty, staff and alumni. Many events this fall will be staged on the Galtney-Lott Plaza. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Communications
OXFORD, Miss. – It’s that time of year again when University of Mississippi students, faculty, staff and the LOU community will unite to celebrate the Ole Miss Rebels.
A week of fun-filled events will lead up to the annual Homecoming game at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 14, when the Rebels will go head-to-head with the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Here is a list of events to look forward to during this year’s Homecoming Week:
Monday (Oct. 9)
Mechanical Shark – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Galtney-Lott Plaza will have a mechanical shark that daring people can ride. Be honest, how long have you been waiting to ride a Landshark?
Free Popcorn – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Another event sponsored by the Student Activities Association on the Galtney-Lott Plaza. I don’t know about you, but I can smell the butter already.
Presentation: Frank King – 7 p.m. King, a comedian, writer and suicide prevention expert, is set to speak at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. He will touch on his lifelong battle with depression and thoughts of suicide, as well as the importance of fighting stigmas, in an engaging, clever and thoughtful dialogue with his audience.
Tuesday (Oct. 10)
Sno-Biz – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop by the Galtney-Lott Plaza to get a snow cone.
Silent Disco – 9-11 p.m. This dance party is one the likes of which you’ve probably never experienced. So come by the Grove Tuesday night to dance like no one’s listening. In case of rain, the Silent Disco will be held in the Tad Pad.
Wednesday (Oct. 11)
Games in the Circle – 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come by the Circle to play a number of games that are sure to make lasting memories, and no, we’re not just talking about a neverending game of Trust Fall.
Wheel of Wow – 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come one, come all and spin the wheel at the Galtney-Lott Plaza for a chance to win various giveaways for students. This event is sponsored by the Student Activities Association.
Trivia and Pizza Night – 6:30-7:30 p.m. This event will be held in the Grove, and to avoid any cheesy pizza puns, it’s a great chance to meet new people over some trivia.
Thursday (Oct. 12)
Free Waffles – 8 a.m. They’ll be serving free, yes free, waffles Thursday morning on the Galtney-Lott Plaza. So get up and at ’em because the early bird gets the waffles.
Meet ‘n’ Greet the Homecoming Court – Noon-1 p.m. Come to the Circle to meet the ladies and gentlemen on the Homecoming court.
Rebels Got Talent – 7 p.m. The Grove Stage will be graced by students of many talents Thursday night. So come and cheer on your friends! It’ll be like “America’s Got Talent” except better because Domino’s Pizza will be providing free pizza. I wonder what Simon thinks about that?
Friday (Oct. 13)
Coffee with a Cop – 8 a.m. Come enjoy hot, fresh coffee with Oxford police officers on the Galtney-Lott Plaza. Ask them questions about their jobs, lives and/or experiences, because what’s less scary than seeing a cop at 8 a.m.? Sipping coffee with a cop at 8 a.m.
Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally – 5:30 p.m. Get ready to rally folks, the parade will begin at the Circle and continues to the Square Friday evening.
Everybody’s Formal – 8:30-11:30 p.m. The Jefferson will host this year’s Everybody’s Formal where – get this – everybody’s invited. Dress in a semiformal attire and get ready to dance the night away.
Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception – 6 p.m. The Inn at Ole Miss will host a reception honoring the winners of the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony and Dinner – 7 p.m. Following the reception is the ceremony at the Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom followed by dinner. Please note that this is a ticketed event.
Saturday (Oct. 14)
Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association – 9:30 a.m. Come to mingle at the Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom at The Inn at Ole Miss with the Alumni Association.
Tailgates – Join alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends for a pre-game tailgate.
Black Alumni Reunion Kickoff Tailgate – 11:30 a.m., along the Student Union construction site in the Grove.
English Department Alumni Tailgate – 11:30 a.m., location to be announced.
Meek School of Journalism & New Media Tailgate – 11:30 a.m., Farley Hall lawn
School of Education Tailgate – 11:30 a.m., north lawn of the Triplett Alumni Center
School of Engineering Tailgate – 12:20 p.m., Brevard Hall lawn
Homecoming Game – 2:30 p.m., Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt
Halftime – Introduction of the Alumni Awards Day recipients and Alumni Association President Hal Moore. Crowning of Homecoming Queen Christina Lawler by Alumni Association President Hal Moore. Performance by the Pride of the South Marching Band
Sunday (Oct. 15)
Miss University Pageant – 5:30 p.m. Come to the Ford Center to celebrate the end of Homecoming Week and to practice your best pageant wave as you cheer on participants in this year’s pageant.