Fall semester brings faces old and new back to campus to celebrate Homecoming traditions.
For more than 100 years, MSU has celebrated Homecoming with tailgates, football, parades and other displays of school spirit. Over time, old traditions are continued and new traditions are formed.
Celebrate Homecoming all week long with various events across campus, all leading up to the Spartans' Oct. 6 football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at noon at Spartan Stadium.
Monday, Oct. 1
The University Activities Board (UAB) will host an ice cream tasting at the Rock from 4 to 7 p.m. Students can sample 10 different flavors of MSU Dairy Store ice cream. The first 100 people to arrive get a free t-shirt.
Tuesday, Oct. 2
The UAB will host an Open Mic night from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Beaumont Tower courtyard. MSU’s a cappella groups will perform and the open mic invites students to sing a song or share a poem.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Students are invited to Craft Night hosted by the UAB at the MSU Union. From 7 to 10 p.m. in Room 50, students and a guest can use provided supplies to make and decorate their own canvas Homecoming banner.
Thursday, Oct. 4
UAB will host a Q & A session with MSU alumnus Ernest Green, the 2018 Homecoming Grand Marshal.
Green was one of nine teenagers —otherwise known as the “Little Rock Nine” — who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. From 6 to 8 p.m. in the MSU Union Ballroom, students are invited to learn about Green’s experience with desegregation and how he became a major figure in the American civil rights movement. MSU Bakers cookies are provided.
Friday, Oct. 5
At 6 p.m., MSU's 2018 Homecoming Parade begins at the Hannah Community Center on Abbot Road and makes its way down Grand River Avenue to end on campus at Farm Lane. This year’s parade features more than 130 student and community groups, including the Spartan Marching Band, the MSU Alumni Band, MSU Athletics and clubs, Greek Life, Michigan high school bands and more.
To wrap up Friday, Michigan State Madness takes place at the Breslin Student Events Center from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. The event is held to celebrate the start of the men's and women's 2018-19 basketball seasons.
Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Student admission is free and the evening includes opportunities for autographs, a team scrimmage and performances by the Spartan Marching Band, MSU cheerleaders and Sparty.
Saturday, Oct. 6
The festivities of Homecoming week close out with the Spartans’ noon football game against the Northwestern Wildcats. Along with a special halftime performance by the Spartan Marching Band, the 2018 Homecoming Court, Grand Marshal and Homecoming Parade award winners will be announced.
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