From parades to puppies, homecoming is a time to throw your 'O'

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No matter when someone graduated from the University of Oregon, there's always a new way to “throw your ‘O’” at the annual homecoming celebration.

A 1966 graduate who never saw a football game at Autzen Stadium as a student might be surprised to find a basketball arena where a bakery once stood. Ducks who graduated from law school 25 years ago addressed “your honor” in what is now McKenzie Hall instead of the William W. Knight Law Center with its 200-seat auditorium and mock courtroom. Even alumni who graduated as recently as a year ago missed the opportunity to grab an ice cream between classes from Red Wagon Creamery in the newly renovated Erb Memorial Union.

But all are invited to return to the UO for homecoming Oct. 24–30, a week that — appropriately enough for Track Town USA — begins with a fitness challenge and ends with a 5K race.

Homecoming week’s signature event is the homecoming parade, open to anyone who wishes to participate. More than a century of spirit and tradition at the UO will be celebrated; Ducks are invited to walk, march, drive or — depending on the weather — float through campus in the parade, which gets underway Friday at 5 p.m.

Spirits high from the parade, Ducks are invited to explore the EMU, where games, giveaways and live music will be offered well into the evening. Fans can also head to Matthew Knight Arena to watch the volleyball team take on Pac-12 rivals the University of Arizona.

The following day, the Sober Tailgate and Watch Party will get Ducks ready for the football game against Arizona State; the game will be shown on a television for those without tickets to Autzen Stadium.

In all, homecoming is a week packed with events academic, athletic, artistic and animal in nature, with something for Ducks of all ages.

  • 50th reunion: Members of the Class of 1966 are returning to campus Oct. 27–29, hosted by the UO Alumni Association. The class, which includes Emmy Award-winning NBC producer Margaret McBride Lehrman, Cheryl Ramberg Ford (namesake of the Cheryl Ramberg Ford and Allyn Ford Alumni Center), and fundraising campaign chair Dave Petrone, is raising money to fund the endowed Class of 1966 PathwayOregon Scholarship; Petrone personally kick started the fundraising efforts by offering $50,000 in matching funds. During the reunion, the class will enjoy a reception and luncheon, take a campus tour and be inducted into the Order of the Emerald at a banquet held in its honor.
  • Fall Family Weekend: Parent and Family Programs hosts several thousand family members who join their students on campus by attending classes Oct. 28–30. Other events include the Taste of Home Brunch, homecoming parade, athletic events and more.
  • Pac-12 Fitness Challenge: Ducks are invited to compete against other conference schools Oct. 24–28.
  • Competition just for fun: The Intramural Sports Cornhole Tournament takes place Oct. 27; on Sunday, Oct. 30, it’s the Run With the Duck kids’ 1K fun run and adults’ 5K race.

Looking for something a little more musical and a little less exhausting? Take in the Oregon Wind Ensemble’s performance Oct. 26 or OcTUBAfest Oct. 27. Quieter pursuits include lectures on science fiction and social justice, football’s concussion crisis and the mysteries of Easter Island. And if Ducks need a break from tubas and talk of concussions, the Greenhill Humane Society will be on campus Oct. 26 and 27 with dogs people can play with and cuddle.

Among the parade, class reunion, football game, volleyball matches, lectures, live music, 5K run and the wet noses of a Duck’s best friend, there truly is something for all ages and interests at homecoming.

Visit homecoming.uoregon.edu to see all of this year’s events.