Monday, December 9, 2024

William & Mary’s homecoming is this weekend. Here’s what’s planned

A member of the cheer team flies the Tribe flag during the football game. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
A member of the cheer team flies the Tribe flag during the football game. (WYDaily/ Courtesy Stephen Salpukas, William & Mary)

Later this week alumni will return to William & Mary to celebrate and reconnect with classmates and their alma mater.

The William & Mary and local communities are invited to participate in a wide variety of events, including the annual Homecoming Parade, which will take place Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Those planning on going to the festivities in the afternoon of Oct. 19 should note that the parade route will begin on North Boundary Street before coming up Richmond Road, turning onto Dillard Street and proceeding down Ukrop Way to Kaplan Arena.

No cars will be allowed to park on Richmond Road on Friday until approximately 6 p.m.

Serving as this year’s parade grand marshal will be Ruth Tillar ’45, who has attended 76 William & Mary Homecomings.

The Homecoming grand marshal is an honorary position filled by distinguished members of the William & Mary community. The grand marshals receive recognition throughout homecoming and ride in the lead car during the parade.

This year’s parade theme is “William & Mary Through the Ages” as part of the university’s yearlong commemoration of the 100th anniversary of coeducation at William & Mary. This parade will also be Katherine A. Rowe’s first as the 28th president of William & Mary.

The parade route for William & Mary's homecoming. (WYDaily/ Courtesy William & Mary)
The parade route for William & Mary’s homecoming. (WYDaily/Courtesy William & Mary)

Announcing the parade and narrating the live stream will be Kay Floyd ’05 and Amanda Vtipilson ’09. Floyd is a past member of the Alumni Association board and is a visiting fellow at the Department of Justice. Vtipilson is an adult programs and tours manager at The Valentine in Richmond.

The live broadcast and parade judging will take place on the opposite side of the street this year, in front of One Tribe Place, because the Alumni House will be closed for construction and renovation — it’s expected to reopen in spring 2020.

Registration for paid events during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend will be available in the Sadler Center, 200 Stadium Drive.

Other highlights of Homecoming include:

  • Virginia Uncorked: Friday, 7-11 p.m. in the Sunken Garden, featuring live music, food trucks (pay-as-you-go) and tastings from Virginia breweries, vineyards and distilleries ($30 per person, $10 for non-tasting admission).
  • W&M Libraries Homecoming Author Breakfast: Saturday, 8-10 a.m. at Swem Library, enjoy breakfast and a book signing with Alexandra Bracken ’09, author of “The Darkest Minds” series (a summer blockbuster), and Anne Marie Pace ’87, author of the “Vampirina Ballerina” series (now a hit Disney Jr. TV show).
  • Concert with Chip Esten ’87, star of “Nashville,” and his band N’est Pas: Saturday, noon-3 p.m in the Sunken Garden, sing along at this special free performance.
  • Children’s Carnival: Saturday, noon-3 p.m. in the Sunken Garden, enjoy this family-friendly carnival featuring inflatables, face painting and more.
  • W&M Football Game: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. at Zable Stadium. The Tribe will take on the Maine Black Bears. Call 757-221-3340 to purchase tickets.
  • Saturday Night Bash: 9-11:30 p.m in the Sunken Garden main tent, dance the night away to the sounds of party band 10 Spot, or mingle, snack and spend time with friends.

William & Mary expects thousands of alumni, students, faculty, parents and friends of the university to participate in this year’s Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

A complete list of campus events and prices are available on William & Mary’s website.

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