MU announces 109th Homecoming plans

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

There may not be a traditional homecoming parade to help celebrate the University of Missouri’s 109th Homecoming but there is a slew of other events that will take place virtually to continue homecoming traditions.

“One of the bright spots for Homecoming this year is the chance to involve and engage more alumni and friends,” said Robin Wenneker, president of the Mizzou Alumni Association and a member of the UM Board of Curators. “There are so many events for our alumni to participate in around the country. We will host a few of our well-known traditions and add new virtual events that we hope can become future traditions for our Tigers who cannot make it to campus every year.”

Organizers have planned a spirit rally and inductions to the Mizzou Hall of Fame virtually as well as the columns and Columbia’s downtown district being decorated by student organizations while meeting social distancing requirements.

One new event is a Homecoming Parade 5K, in which alumni around the country will be encouraged to run, walk or wheel a 5K in their home communities.

“We decided that if we can’t have a parade, we can have hundreds or thousands of ‘parade K’s’ around the country,” said Todd McCubbin, MU’s associate vice chancellor for alumni relations and executive director of the Mizzou Alumni Association.

Children are being invited to take part in a virtual coloring contest with homecoming-themed coloring pages.

The university will also take continue the service aspect of Homecoming.

Mizzou will maintain an important community event on Oct.9, Tiger Food Fight, a food drive benefiting Tiger Pantry and the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. From 12 to 6 p.m. in front of the Reynolds Alumni Center, canned food donations will be accepted in a drive-thru format. The campus and Columbia community are invited to give in the spirit of Homecoming by driving through the circle drive and dropping off canned and non-perishable food donations. Last year, more than 30,000 pounds of food were collected.

MU’s Homecoming Blood Drive will continue the largest student-run blood drive in the nation. This year, the American Red Cross will be hosting several mini blood drives across dozens of satellite locations in several counties around Missouri through Nov. 16.

MU’s 109th Homecoming at a glance:

• Oct. 1- Nov. 16 – Blood Drives: Give blood at one of the dozens of satellite locations across Missouri.
• Oct. 9 – Tiger Food Fight – Canned food donations accepted from 12 to 6 p.m. in front of the Reynolds Alumni Center.
• Oct. 15-18 – Decorate the District: Enjoy the decorations on the columns and in Columbia’s downtown district.
• Oct. 15 – Spirit Rally: Join Marching Mizzou at 6 p.m. for a virtual spirit rally featuring a classic lineup of Mizzou songs.
• Oct. 16 – Hall of Fame Ceremony: Watch at noon as we honor four distinguished Mizzou alumni, including award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow.
• Oct. 17 – Football game: Cheer on the Tigers as they take on Vanderbilt University.