A slew of Homecoming Week events are on tap for alumni, students, and football fans leading up to the gridiron battle between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the ULM Warhawks.
Kickoff will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Cajun Field, but not before pep rallies, parades, tailgating, and activities such as karaoke, and tennis and golf tournaments.
Rather than a specific theme, the focus for Homecoming Week will be on revisiting fun times with family and friends, while making new memories. “Starting this year, instead of having a set theme, there will be an emphasis on nostalgia, and on school spirit,” said Monique Villien, Homecoming 2015 chair for the UL Lafayette Alumni Association.
Homecoming Week gets rolling at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25 with Ragin’ Cajun Bowling at Lafayette Lanes. Bowlers will team up to see who can knock down the most pins. There will also be music, refreshments, and a trivia contest. Correct answers to University-related questions will earn prizes, such as Ragin’ Cajuns merchandise.
The Allons Manger Food Truck Roundup, which was introduced last year, is back. Twelve food trucks will serve everything from sandwiches to barbecue to desserts. The roundup will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26 at the Alumni Center, 600 E. St. Mary Blvd.
Vendors will be Blanchard’s BBQ, Brain Freeze Snowballs, The Bus Stop, Buster’s Frozen Custard, Cacklin Hens, C’est Bon Manger, Chef Gregory, Kona Ice of Acadiana, Mad Luann’s, Rice Kings, The Rock House Kitchen Co., and Taco Sisters. A mobile boutique, Sa Shay, will sell clothes, shoes, accessories and jewelry at the round up.
A popular Homecoming tradition, the “Paint the Town Red” contest for businesses and schools, will feature traditional displays of Ragin’ Cajun spirit and pride. A team of local judges will visit business and schools over two days to select winners in a range of categories, such as exterior and interior decorations and skits.
Judges will visit businesses from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and schools, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29.
Kirsten Allen, president of the Student Government Association, said Homecoming unites students, alumni, and fans.
“Students celebrate on campus throughout the week, but the community is just as proud of the Ragin' Cajuns,” Allen said.
Fans will gather to support the Ragin’ Cajuns at the Yell Like Hell Pep Rally. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Student Union courtyard.
On Friday, Oct. 30, daytime activities include the Bill Bass Open Golf Tournament and a tennis tournament.
That night, at Downtown Alive!, a UL Lafayette pep rally will feature Ragin’ Cajuns football players, coaches and cheerleaders. 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.
Also on Friday, the University Wind Ensemble will perform its annual Homecoming Concert at 7:30 p.m. in Angelle Hall. The "Globetrotting and Homecoming” concert will feature music inspired by each of the world’s seven continents.
Homecoming Day begins with a Ragin’ Road Race at the Alumni Center, followed by an open house at the Alumni Center from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
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.
"Trick-or-Treat Tailgate…Cajun Style" will be held prior to the game. Fans who plan to tailgate on game day are encouraged to have treats on hand for young Halloween trick-or-treaters.
To see a complete list Homecoming Week events and activities, visit louisiana.edu/homecoming.