from WCU Office of Communications and Public Relations
WCU Homecoming parade on Oct. 28, 2016 continued the long established tradition. Photo by Jessica Wooten.
Western Carolina University will celebrate Homecoming 2017 starting on Monday, Oct. 23, and continuing through Sunday, Oct. 29, with the theme “Catamount Proud.”
Activities will range from comedy and country music shows to the annual Homecoming parade, golf tournament and football game complete with the halftime crowning of the Homecoming king and queen.
Events will kick off Oct. 23 with a carnival for students featuring a Ferris wheel and and food from 4 to 9 p.m. on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center. The next day, Tuesday, Oct. 24, will include the annual Resident Student Association Hall-O-Ween event for local children up through fifth grade from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ramsey Regional Activity Center, plus a Homecoming Comedy Show set for 7 p.m. in the University Center Grandroom featuring comics Drew Lynch and Erin Jackson. Later in the week, on Thursday, Oct. 26, up-and-coming country stars Brett Young and Carly Pearce will perform in a concert beginning at 8 p.m. in the Ramsey Center.
Activities on Friday, Oct. 27, will tee off bright and early with “The Mutt” Catamount Football Golf Classic, which is named in honor of late WCU football coach Alphonso “Mutt” Degraffenreid. Play will take place at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville. Later that day, WCU’s annual Homecoming parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Sylva. Participants will include community and student floats, WCU’s cheerleaders and dance team, the Homecoming court and the university’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.
WCU Homecoming 2014 Main Street Parade. The saxophonists of the Pride of the Mountains marching band. Photo by Michael Williams
An action-packed Saturday, Oct. 28, features the Zombie 5-K Chase Race at 9 a.m., Chancellor’s Brunch and Alumni Awards event at 10 a.m., tailgating from noon until 3:30 p.m., the WCU football team’s game against Furman at 3:30 p.m. and the African-American Alumni Postgame Reception at 6:30 p.m. Homecoming activities will end on a musical note Oct. 29 with the Inspirational Choir’s annual Homecoming concert beginning at 2 p.m. in the UC Grandroom.
More information about all Homecoming activities, including details on signing up to attend or participate, is available online by visiting homecoming.wcu.edu and clicking on the event schedules for students and alumni.
