“It is Easy Being Green” – Colorado State University Announces Dates and Changes for Homecoming and Family Weekend

Colorado State University invites the community to celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 9 – 12.  There are a variety of events planned, including several additions and changes this year. The theme of this year’s event, including the Homecoming Parade, is "It is Easy Being Green." Activities are open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the entire community.

The Homecoming Parade will be held on a new day and have a new route. The 90-minute parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and will travel through the Oval – the historic heart of the CSU campus. The parade is planned to begin at its traditional starting point at Mountain Avenue and Howes Street. After moving down Howes and through the Oval, the parade will march across the university plaza and conclude on campus at Meridian Avenue and University Avenue, at the West Lawn of the Lory Student Center.

The end of the parade also serves as the start for a new, community-wide Homecoming Festival beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. on the West Lawn. The festival will be kicked-off by CSU football coach Steve Fairchild and Ram football players, and includes a pep rally, food, live music and a family-friendly atmosphere. The event will end with the traditional bonfire, lighting of the "A" and fireworks. The goal of the festival is to create an annual family-friendly event that celebrates the university-community partnership.

The Homecoming and Family Weekend Steering Committee explored ways of enhancing the tradition and the long-term benefits the weekend offers the university as well as the Fort Collins community. Regarding the annual parade, the committee examined ways to effectively address: a significant lack of participation by CSU students, colleges and departments; a desire for higher quality floats and entries; and, concerns about the extended length of the parade.

"In response to these challenges and opportunities, the Steering Committee looked at a variety of options, as well as practices by other universities, and found that a Friday homecoming parade is a successful model used by some top institutions," said Brad Bohlander, CSU Spokesman. "The committee believes that a Friday parade, in conjunction with an enhanced route, improved entries and the community Festival on campus, can help provide an even better parade and overall celebration for both CSU and the entire community."

"The move to a Friday afternoon parade will energize the student and CSU population, improve campus participation, and provide a great way to kickoff the weekend," said Matt Helmer, Steering Committee co-chairman and director of CSU Events. "Our vision is to create a weekend of events, beginning with the Homecoming Parade, that will bring alumni and friends back to Fort Collins on Friday each year for a CSU and community celebration that truly enhances Homecoming and Family Weekend."

Other events include the annual Homecoming 5K run, which begins at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 on the Oval. It will be followed by a Kid’s Fun Run.

The Colorado State Rams will play host to Mountain West Conference foe Texas Christian University Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. For ticket information, go to www.csurams.com or call 800-491-RAMS.

Family Weekend activities include special football and volleyball game packages, also available to all alumni as well as families in the community. Educational programs will also be available on Friday, Oct. 10, for families of CSU students.

Homecoming and Family Weekend events are open to the public, but cost for some of the activities vary. For more information, a schedule of events and event registration details, visit www.homecoming.colostate.edu. A preliminary listing of events follows.

Thursday, October 9

–     50-plus College of Engineering Reunion Dinner (For graduates of 1958 and prior)

5:30 p.m. Hilton Fort Collins (reservations required – contact the College of Engineering)

–     Volleyball Game – CSU vs. TCU

7 p.m. Moby Arena

–     Biggest Fan Competition

Details to be determined

Friday, October 10

–     Tour of Engineering Building and Breakfast

9 a.m. College of Engineering (reservations required – contact the College of Engineering)

–     University Archives Open House

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Morgan Library

–     50-Year Club Luncheon

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hilton Fort Collins (reservations required – contact the Office of Alumni Relations)

–     Reunions on the Oval

4 – 5:30 p.m.

RSVP by College; Details to follow

–     Homecoming Parade

5 – 6:30 p.m.

–     Class of ’58 Reunion Dinner

5:30 p.m., Hilton Fort Collins (reservations required – contact the Office of Alumni Relations)

–     ASCSU Reunion

Time TBD Ramskellar – Lory Student Center

–     Homecoming Festival

6:30 – 9 p.m. Lory Student Center West Lawn

Saturday, October 11

–     Homecoming 5K Race

7:45 – 9 a.m. CSU Oval

–     Open House at Academic Village

9 a.m.

–     Hillel Bagel Brunch

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. David & Laura Merage Hillel Center, 720 W. Laurel

–     RamTown

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Hughes Stadium

–     University Archives Open House

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Morgan Library

–     CSU Alumni Association Homecoming & Family Weekend Tailgate

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hughes Stadium

–     Homecoming Football Game – CSU vs. TCU

1:30 p.m. Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium

Sunday, October 12

–     Golf Tournament

8:30 a.m. – noon (registration required)

–     Hike to the "A"

10 a.m. – noon (registration required)

–     RAMFAM Association Meeting

10 a.m. Details to follow

–     Volleyball Game – CSU vs. New Mexico

1 p.m. Moby Arena

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