Moscow will soon be host to thousands of past, present, and future Vandals as they return for the University of Idaho Homecoming celebration.
With events beginning Sunday evening and concluding once the football game is finished Saturday night, there are several ways to participate in activities this upcoming week.
The homecoming theme is “there’s no place like Moscow,” a reference to the iconic words uttered by Dorothy in the iconic movie, The Wizard of Oz. So, if you’re planning on following the gold brick road back to UI to experience this year’s festivities, make sure to take note of the schedule below, especially the family-friendly Vandal Rally happening on Friday.
Sunday, Oct. 8:
At 5 p.m. on the Tower Lawn, a field day will be held to kick-off the week of homecoming events. Games and activities, including water pong and tug-o-war, will be available and royalty candidates will also be announced. Additionally, a campus-wide photo challenge will begin and be available to complete throughout the week for participating homecoming teams.
Monday, Oct. 9:
From 2-5 p.m., downtown Moscow will be filled with students as homecoming teams “vandalize” the front windows of local businesses. Simultaneously, drop-off bags will be provided for pickup in Friendship Square for teams participating in the hygiene drive.
Tuesday, Oct. 10:
Starting at 9 a.m., various displays of decorations across campus will be judged. During passing periods, take time to take note of the “vandalized” spaces created by different UI groups. The annual blood drive will also be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the TLC Lounge, marking its 69th year. The blood drive will take place on Wednesday and Thursday as well, at the same time and place.
Wednesday, Oct. 11:
Vandal Jingles will happen at 7 p.m. on the Tower Lawn. This entails homecoming teams performing skits they’ve prepared in advance to the audience present, and typically involves a fair number of singing, dancing, and other exciting tricks.
Thursday, Oct. 12:
The homecoming teams participating in the hygiene drive will collect the bags they dropped off earlier in the week and deliver them back to the Vandal Store at 5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13:
Another round of homecoming decorations will be judged at 1 p.m., and the “Tap the Keg Brewfest” will be happening at the Dan O’Brien Track and Field complex from 3:30-7:30 p.m.
Vandal Hockey will compete against Gonzaga at 4 p.m. in the Palouse Ice Rink (a second game will be played at the same time and place on Saturday as well).
A country music concert featuring Brett Young, alongside special guests Jake Scott and Griffen Palmer, will start at 6 p.m. in the ICCU Arena. This will be followed by the Serpentine beginning at 8 p.m., where the Sound of Idaho Marching Band will snake along a handful of campus streets until eventually ending up at the Kibbie Dome parking lot.
Then, the Vandal Rally will commence at 8:30 p.m. which will include words from President Scott Green, a large bonfire and a fireworks and drone show.
Saturday, Oct. 14:
If you’re feeling in need of a hearty breakfast after Friday night, make sure to visit the Moscow Fire Station anywhere between 9 a.m. and noon for the Annual Pancake Feed and Safety Fair hosted by Moscow Firefighters. Or, if an early morning exercise sounds like a better way for you to wake up, free baby goat yoga will be offered at 10 a.m. on the SRC Lawn on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Annual Best Western Plus University Inn Homecoming Parade will start its march down main street at 12:30 p.m. and precede the big game.
Following the homecoming parade, alumni are welcome to visit open houses which will be hosted by living groups across campus. In addition, live music will be tentatively offered at 5:30 p.m. at the ICCU Arena Pavilion during homecoming tailgating.
University of Idaho’s 2023 Homecoming celebration will end in its traditional fashion as the Vandal Football team competes against the University of Montana Grizzlies in the Kibbie Dome.
Herman Roberts can be reached at [email protected]