Sunday parade kicks off Homecoming week

Iowa State Homecoming 2021 opens Sunday, Oct. 17, with a parade in downtown Ames and continues through Saturday, Oct. 23, with football game festivities in and around Jack Trice Stadium. CY of the Storm Homecoming buttons ($5) can be purchased at the ISU Book Store, using this online form or at the Food on Campus tent on central campus Monday-Friday next week.

Back by popular demand, the campus office decorating contest will have two divisions: Door or office decorating. To participate, sign up by Friday, Oct. 15. Winners will be chosen for their creativity, effort and representation of this year's homecoming theme, CY of the Storm.

Here's a quick rundown of some (not all) Homecoming activities:

  • Sunday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. Homecoming parade, downtown Ames
  • Monday-Friday, Oct. 18-22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Food on Campus, free with a Homecoming button, a faculty and staff-only line will be open noon-1 p.m. daily, central campus
  • Friday, Oct. 22, 1:15 p.m., Honors and Awards ceremony, Benton Auditorium, Scheman Building and livestreamed, recognizes the recipients of six Alumni Association awards as well as college awards for alumni
  • Friday, Oct. 22, 5-9 p.m., Happy hour and pep rally, cash bar, kids activities, merchandise sale, dinner from Pizza Ranch served 5:30-7 p.m. while supplies last ($5 or free with Homecoming button), pep rally program begins at 7 p.m., ISU Alumni Center
  • Friday, Oct. 22, 8-10 p.m. ExCYtement in the Streets, view the lawn displays in Greekland, south campus neighborhood
  • Friday, Oct. 22, 10 p.m.-midnight, pancakes, fireworks and mass campaniling, $3 for pancakes, fireworks and mass campaniling at midnight, central campus
  • Saturday, Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m., Cyclone Central, entertainment, giveaways, games, shopping, food and drink; free and open to everyone; tailgate meal must be preordered by noon Oct. 20, Alumni Center

A short list of virtual Homecoming events is available for those not on campus. For ISU students only, the week also includes sports and e-sports tournaments, Yell Like Hell and online bingo contests, 5-kilometer fun run, lawn decorating and CyFactor vocal competition.

Follow the ISU Homecoming social media channels for daily updates.