WCU Stories      September 19, 2024

By Bill Studenc

Western Carolina University alumni will paint the town purple Friday, Nov. 1, during a downtown Sylva Catamount takeover to launch Homecoming 2024 weekend.

The weekend’s festivities will begin with the annual Homecoming Parade down Sylva’s Main Street featuring a variety of university and community floats. The parade will get underway at 6 p.m. and will be anchored by WCU’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, which will lead parade-watchers in singing “The Western Carolina University Fight Song.”

Following the conclusion of the parade, the Office of Engagement will host the annual “Alumni Central” post-parade party with live music across multiple venues throughout downtown Sylva. The cost of admission is $5 per person, and the first 500 people to register will receive special commemorative WCU social district cups.

Alumni Central attendees will be able stroll throughout the Sylva social district enjoying adult beverages as they wander from one establishment to another.

“The Alumni Central party is an opportunity for Catamounts past and present to come together and enjoy all that downtown Sylva has to offer,” said Stacey Miller, director of alumni engagement. “With the help of our downtown partners, this event has grown over the years and is becoming a ‘don’t miss’ tradition. It’s so exciting to stroll through downtown Sylva and witness the sea of purple and gold as alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members kick off Homecoming weekend.”

Registration for the Alumni Central party is available online.

Homecoming activities will continue Saturday, Nov. 2, with a full day of activities. Several prominent members of the WCU family will be recognized during the annual Chancellor’s Brunch and Alumni Awards Ceremony to begin at 9 a.m. Additional information, including names of award recipients, will be announced later this semester.

Before the WCU Catamounts take on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in a big Southern Conference football showdown at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, alumni are encouraged to stop by the Catamount Tailgate to reconnect with old friends, make new memories and enjoy food and beverages.

The Catamount Tailgate will start at 11 a.m. and will be held in the Stadium Lot adjacent to E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

After the conclusion of the football game, which will include the recognition of alumni award winners and student Homecoming Nobility at halftime, the African American Alumni Society will host a post-game social at 7 p.m. in Illusions located in A.K. Hinds University Center and a flannel pajama movie night with a screening of “Olympus Has Fallen” beginning at 8:45 p.m. in the UC Theater.

The Inspirational Gospel Choir will close Homecoming weekend with a performance Sunday, Nov. 3. Details are forthcoming.

For more information about Homecoming activities for alumni, visit alumni.wcu.edu/homecoming.

For information about Homecoming activities for students, visit homecoming.wcu.edu.