CSU Welcomes Community to Celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 9-11

Colorado State University invites students, alumni, parents, friends and the northern Colorado community to celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend in Fort Collins Oct. 9 – 11. The theme of this year’s event, including the Homecoming Parade, is “Celebrating the Past, Building the Future.” There are some changes from last year’s events, including a new parade start time and adjusted parade route.

The year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend highlights include Friday’s Homecoming Parade and Festival, and Saturday’s Homecoming 5K Race, Alumni Association Tailgate and Homecoming football game. Many other activities, including a variety of campus tours, open houses and parent association meetings will be held throughout the weekend. Several events are open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the entire community, although a handful require advanced registration and some include a fee for participation. Visit the Web at http://www.homecoming.colostate.edu for a complete list of events and registration information.

Event and Registration Details

Traditional Homecoming celebrations begin at 3:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9, with Reunions on the Oval in the historic heart of campus. Representatives from CSU’s colleges and their alumni will celebrate with music and family-friendly entertainment. The reunions event is free and open to the public.

This year’s Homecoming Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m., starting at the intersection of Howes Street and Oak Street in downtown Fort Collins. The parade start time has been moved up 30 minutes from last year to ensure the parade concludes before dusk. As suggested by the city of Fort Collins, the parade’s start location has moved and staging adjusted to open up three additional east-west traffic corridors (Maple Street, LaPorte Avenue and Mountain Avenue) to ease traffic congestion during the parade.

The 90-minute parade, featuring CAM the Ram and the CSU Marching Band, will travel south on Howes, through the Oval, across the university plaza and will conclude on campus at Meridian Avenue and University Avenue, at the West Lawn of the Lory Student Center.

Parade participation will be limited to 100 entries this year, and the registration deadline is Sept. 25. Registration details are available online at http://www.homecoming.colostate.edu/parade_registration.aspx or by calling CSU Events at (970) 491 – 4601.

The end of the parade also serves as the beginning of the community-wide Homecoming Festival starting at approximately 6 p.m. on the west side of the Lory Student Center. The festival includes a pep rally with CSU football coach Steve Fairchild and Ram football players, live music and a family-friendly atmosphere. Local restaurant vendors will be on hand with variety of food choices for purchase. The event will end with the traditional bonfire, lighting of the "A" and fireworks. The event is free and open to the public.

The 29th Annual CSU Homecoming 5K Race begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 on the Oval, followed by a free Kid’s Fun Run beginning at approximately 9 a.m. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to attend. Last year’s event drew more than 1800 participants. More information and registration details are available online at http://hes.cahs.colostate.edu/CommunityPrograms/Homecoming/.

The Homecoming celebration continues at Hughes Stadium with Ram Town beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. Located just east of the team tunnel entrance, Ram Town features interactive play areas for kids including the Ram Locker Room Experience and an obstacle course. Ram Town is free and open to the public.

Football festivities continue with the CSU Alumni Association Homecoming and Family Weekend Tailgate from 1:30–3:30 p.m. outside of Hughes Stadium. Live music, food, visits by Cam the Ram, the CSU pep band and cheer squads will set the stage for the big game. Registration is required. More information is available online at www.homecoming.colostate.edu/ramtown.aspx or by calling the CSU Alumni Association at (800) 286-2586.

The Colorado State Rams will play host to Mountain West Conference opponent Utah at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 on Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. Special game packages are available as part of Family Weekend activities. For ticket information, visit www.csurams.com or call (800) 491-RAMS.

Homecoming and Family Weekend festivities conclude Sunday, Oct. 11, with the annual Family Weekend Golf Tournament from 8:30 a.m. – noon at City Park Nine, the oldest course in Fort Collins. Alumni, students and families will tee off at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. The event is open to all levels of players, however space is limited. For more information call the Office of Parent & Family Programs at (970) 491 – 5312.

For more information about CSU’s Homecoming and Family Weekend, including a full, updated list of events, visit http://www.homecoming.colostate.edu/.
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