The University of Colorado at Boulder's 2005 Homecoming begins Friday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. with a Homecoming Parade on University Hill.
The parade will feature about 35 floats from CU-Boulder residence halls, student groups, Greeks and the community at large. It will be led by Interim CU-Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano and Honorary Grand Marshall Jeremy Bloom.
A CU pep rally will follow the parade at Norlin Quad at about 6 p.m. Members of the CU football team will be present for the pep rally.
Three bands will perform and an iPod giveaway will be held after the pep rally. The approximate schedule will be:
o 6:20 p.m. Meniskus (band)
o 6:50 p.m. iPod giveaway
o 7:10 p.m. 1865 (band)
o 7:40 p.m. Homecoming parade awards
o 8 p.m. Pharcyde (band)
In addition to the parade, pep rally and concerts, The Conscious Alliance, a local nonprofit organization founded by CU alumni is coordinating the third annual Homecoming Food Drive. Nonperishable food items can be donated at Saturday's Homecoming football game at all entrances to the stadium. All food donations will benefit the Community Food Share of Boulder/Longmont and Emergency Family Assistance.
The Alumni Association encourages alumni to attend the parade, the pep rally and "Friday Night at the Reef," a dueling-piano show at Boulder's Reef Bar and Grill. Alumni can also test their knowledge of CU at a general multi-subject freshman exam under the tent on Benson Field, located just south of the stadium, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The alumni pre-game party, with the CU band and cheerleaders, begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, also at Benson Field.
The Pearl Street Stampede, with the CU Marching Band, takes place every Friday before home football games. The band will play at the Boulder County Courthouse at 7:15 p.m., and then will march west on Pearl Street to the Daily Camera offices.
CU-Boulder's Homecoming sponsors include the University of Colorado Student Union, Arts and Sciences Student Government, Program Council, the Athletic Department, Office of Student Affairs, Chancellor's office, Daily Camera, dirt, Black and Gold, the Hill Alliance, Liquor Mart, Pasta Jay's, PEH Architects and the CU Book Store.
Additional sponsors are the city of Boulder, Tebo Development, Apple Rockies.com, CU's Housing and Dining Services, Transmission Technology, the Alumni Association, Boulder Chamber of Commerce and the Boulder Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Football tickets to the Colorado vs. Texas A&M game are still available by calling (303) 49-BUFFS or (303) 492-8337. For more information about homecoming go to .