Homecoming continues through Nov. 4 with concerts, parade, football
WCU students carry the banner for their residence halls during a Homecoming parade in downtown Sylva. This year’s parade is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.
“Building a Legacy” will be the theme for Homecoming 2018 at Western Carolina University, with a schedule of public events that includes comedy and music shows, the traditional parade and football game, and a 5-K race and step competition.
Activities kick off Monday, Oct. 29, with “wellRED Comedy Tour: From Dixie with Love” scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. The show features comedians Trae Crowder, Drew Morgan and Corey Ryan Forrester. Next up on the agenda is a Homecoming carnival from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, on the lawn around Blue Ridge Hall. Activities are free for students, and tickets will be available for the public at the event.
WCU students celebrate the Catamounts’ gridiron success during a Homecoming football game. The team will take on the Citadel this year.
Coming up later in the week, the Homecoming concert featuring Grammy-winning rapper T-Pain along with Blackbear and a special guest performer, WCU alumnus FreeWILL, will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in Ramsey Regional Activity Center.
Events on Friday, Nov. 2, include the annual Homecoming parade that begins at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Sylva and features student and community floats and WCU’s cheerleaders, dance team, Homecoming court and Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. Later that evening, at 8:30 p.m., Stompfest 2018 will be held at the Bardo Arts Center with a step competition presented by members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council to cultivate African-American culture at WCU.
An action-packed Saturday, Nov. 3, starts off with the Zombie 5-K Chase Race at 9 a.m. and the Chancellor’s Brunch and Alumni Awards event at 10 a.m., with alumni awards scheduled to be presented to Kenny Messer, class of 1986, Professional Achievement Award; Elizabeth Ransom, class of 1994, Academic Achievement Award; and Mary Beth Fallin Hunzaker, class of 2010, Young Alumna Award. The recipient of WCU’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award – Susan Brummell Belcher, wife of late WCU Chancellor David O. Belcher – also will be recognized.
Tailgating before the Homecoming football game provides an opportunity for alumni to reconnect.
Other activities on Nov. 3 include tailgating from noon until 3:30 p.m., the WCU football team’s game against the Citadel at 3:30 p.m. and the African-American Alumni Postgame Reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramsey Center. Also, the African-American Alumni Concert featuring Westsound and a reception start at 9 p.m. in Illusions at A.K. Hinds University Center.
Homecoming activities will end on a musical note Sunday, Nov. 4, with the Inspirational Choir’s annual concert and reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Illusions.
More information about all Homecoming activities is available online by visiting homecoming.wcu.edu.
