This year's Homecoming Parade begins at noon Friday along Rutford Avenue. Approximately 70 groups have registered to participate including the UT Dallas Power Dancers, Cheerleaders, Pep Band and the newly formed drum line.
Comet spirit will be on display at The University of Texas at Dallas this week as students and alumni celebrate Homecoming 2016.
Organizers for the 23rd annual event have planned a parade and lunch, late-night float building, cardboard boat races, a 5K run, a music festival and a tailgating event before the women’s basketball game.
“My hope this year is that we are doing things bigger, better and different,” said Tineil Lewis, assistant director of student organizations. “We want everyone to feel a part of Homecoming, and we want everybody to get on board showing their school spirit and wearing their orange and green.”
Get Ready For Homecoming
Visit utdallas.edu/homecoming for the full list of Homecoming events and contests.
Participate in the 2016 Comets Can! Food Drive Challenge, where faculty and staff compete to collect the most nonperishable food and personal care items for the Comet Cupboard.
Follow and contribute to Homecoming happenings on social media by using #utdhc.
Homecoming will begin with a kickoff party from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the mall featuring a special lighting ceremony, music, food, games and prizes.
More than 280 people have registered for the Wednesday evening 5K run and will sport glow-in-the-dark gear for the race.
Approximately 70 groups have registered for the Homecoming Parade, which begins at noon Friday along Rutford Avenue. The Pep Band and the newly formed UT Dallas drum line will provide live music for the parade, which will feature custom-designed floats. The parade has been expanded this year to include cars, trucks, and trucks with trailers, as well as the traditional golf carts. The Richardson Fire Department No. 3 will join the parade with a firetruck and ambulance.
The Cardboard Boat Regatta contest will begin at 6 p.m. Friday in the Activity Center pool.
The Saturday tailgate party, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. will feature music, games and giveaways. At the tailgate, the Homecoming king and queen will be announced. Attendees can meet the basketball teams, cheerleaders and Power Dancers. Parade winners also will be revealed. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own tailgate fixings. Beverages will be provided.
Homecoming attendees are encouraged to cheer on the women’s basketball team as it plays Huston-Tillotson at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The traditional Homecoming dance has been replaced with an outdoor musical festival that promises something for everyone. HOMEFEST will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday in Lot J with games and live music featuring a DJ, local bands and Todrick Hall, an “American Idol” contestant-turned-Broadway performer.