Alumni, students, and football fans won’t have to wait until the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns face off against the Idaho Vandals for Homecoming 2016 fun.
The game will kick off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Cajun Field.
First, a week filled with pep rallies, a food truck “roundup,” tailgaiting, karaoke, tennis, golf and a slew of other activities are planned to help Ragin’ Cajuns supporters get fired up.
The theme for Homecoming 2016 is “Ignited by Tradition, Fueled by Spirit.”
“The focus during Homecoming Week will be on a rekindling of tradition for alums returning to their alma mater, and on making new memories for everyone,” said Monique Villien, Homecoming 2016 chair.
The week will begin with the Allons Manger Food Truck Roundup. Seven food trucks will sell a range of treats, from barbecue to frozen custard. The roundup will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31, at the UL Lafayette Alumni Center, 600 E. St. Mary Blvd.
Participating vendors are: Blanchard’s BBQ, The Bus Stop, Buster’s Frozen Custard, Cacklin Hens, Kona Ice of Acadiana, Mad LuAnn’s, and Rice Kings. The women’s boutique Adorn will set up a station where items such as jewelry and accessories will be sold.
During the food truck roundup, the University’s Office of Career Services will team with One Acadiana to host Welcome Home Acadiana. A tent will be set up near the Alumni Center. Representatives of 10 local companies will offer career advice, distribute information, and accept résumés from alums.
For the popular Ragin’ Cajun Karaoke sponsored by the University Program Council, student groups will sing and dance at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Cajundome Convention Center. The public is invited to attend the free event.
The Cajuns Can Care Food Drive will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Alumni Center. Canned goods that are dropped off will be donated to food pantries to help local families during the holidays.
Also on Wednesday, Wear Red, Get Fed will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Boucher Street. Fans who wear Ragin’ Cajuns gear will be able to snack on a free lunch while it lasts.
That evening, the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum will host Alumni Night at the Museum. The public, including alumni, can attend a free poetry reading by poet Jarita Davis, a University alum, and view pieces in the art museum’s collection. The reading will be held from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is at 710 E. St. Mary Blvd.
The traditional Yell Like Hell pep rally sponsored by the UPC will be held from 7:30-10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 at Parc International. It will include a “Splatterbeat” party for students, who splash each other with paint to the rhythm of fast-paced music.
On Friday, Nov. 4, daytime activities include the Bill Bass Open Golf Tournament at Vieux Chenes Golf Course and a tennis tournament at Red Lerille’s Health and Racquet Club. Both tournaments will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
That night, at Downtown Alive!, a UL Lafayette pep rally will feature Ragin’ Cajuns football players, coaches and cheerleaders. It will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band will play at 6 p.m. at Parc Sans Souci. Fans are urged to get there a little early to cheer on the team.
Homecoming Day begins with a Ragin’ Road Race at the Alumni Center, followed by an open house at the center from 9-11 a.m.
The Homecoming Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Blackham Coliseum. A float carrying the queen and her court will stop in front of the Alumni Center for a toast by University President Dr. Joseph Savoie.
A Zydeco Brunch will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cypress Lake Dining Hall in the Student Union. Diners can purchase an all-you-can-eat buffet and listen to music played by a DJ.
Some of the fare on the menu: chicken and sausage gumbo, Cajun brisket with Creole barbecue, smoked Gouda mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs with cheese and chives, boudin links, crawfish queso, Louisiana seafood macaroni and cheese, carved turkey breast, omelets, steamed asparagus, a salad bar, and desserts such as strawberry shortcake pudding and cream cheese tarts.
Ragin’ Cajuns fans can support the football team by attending the game day Cajun Walk at 1:35 p.m. on Reinhardt Drive.
The Pride of Acadiana Marching Band’s pregame performance will be held at 3:45 p.m. at Cajun Field.
Visit louisiana.edu/homecoming for more info, or contact Monique Villien, 2016 Homecoming chair, at monique.villien@bxs.com.