Todd Rundgren To Be Parade Grand Marshal at Rocktober Fest IU Homecoming

Indiana University alumni, students and friends are invited to a bevy of activities taking place during "Rocktober Fest: Homecoming 2011," this week (Oct. 24-29) in Bloomington.

"The week offers everyone a full plate of activities, including the Hoosier Village tailgate before Saturday's game as well as Friday night's parade, which starts a bit later to allow for its new look," said Tricia Riveire, alumni program officer at the IU Alumni Association. "The later start allows parade participants to take advantage of the dark and turn it into a 'light parade' -- we can't wait to see the creative ways they go about it."

Starting at 7 p.m., Friday (Oct. 28), the 53rd annual Homecoming parade will take to the streets, featuring marching bands, floats, spirit groups and local Shriners clubs. With an evening start time, many of the participants will integrate lights into their parade shows, creating a "light parade."

The parade begins at the intersection of Jordan Avenue and Third Street, travels west down Third Street to Indiana Avenue, where it turns north, concluding at the Sample Gates.

Serving as grand marshal will be Todd Rundgren, an accomplished musician and record producer whose hits include "Bang the Drum All Day." Rundgren is no stranger to IU. In the fall of 2010, he was the Class of 1963 Wells Scholars Professor, teaching a seminar for Wells Scholars and Hutton Honors students at IU Bloomington.

After the parade, a pep rally at the Sample Gates helps to cheer the Hoosiers to a Homecoming victory. The pep rally, which includes fireworks, will feature IU Athletics Director Fred Glass, cheerleaders, the Marching Hundred and more.

On Saturday (Oct. 29), fans will be able to get their Hoosier spirit going early on game day with a Homecoming tailgate party at Hoosier Village. The tailgate runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and will feature tailgate food along with activities and games for all ages, a live pregame radio show with the IU Football Radio Network, performances by the IU cheerleaders and the Marching Hundred and plenty of Hoosier spirit to get fired up for the big game.

Tailgate tickets are $15 for IU Alumni Association members and $20 for nonmembers. Children ages 3-12 are $8, and those 2 or younger are free. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling the IU Alumni Association at 812-855-7352.

Homecoming culminates as the IU football team takes on the Northwestern Wildcats at noon at Memorial Stadium. During pregame and halftime ceremonies, the 2011 Homecoming king and queen will be introduced, the Marching Hundred alumni band and alumnae Red Steppers will perform, and 50-year I-Men will be honored. Tickets for the Homecoming football game may be purchased by calling 866-IUSPORTS.

Other Homecoming events are:

Monday (Oct. 24), 10 p.m.: The Nearly Naked Mile returns for the fourth year at Dunn Meadow. Students and alumni will shed (some of) their clothes and run across campus in this charity event. Participants must donate at least one article of clothing and must finish wearing at least as much as a bathing suit would cover. Donated clothing will be given to a local shelter.
Tuesday (Oct. 25), by appointment, the Coach Hep Cancer Challenge Blood Drive (part of the annual IU Blood Donor Challenge) will be held at the DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St., across from Assembly Hall. To make an appointment to donate blood, visit alumni.indiana.edu/together/homecoming and click on the "Coach Hep Cancer Challenge Blood Drive" link in the schedule.
Thursday (Oct. 27), all day: During IU Spirit Day, prizes will be given to students spotted wearing IU apparel on campus.
Thursday (Oct. 27), 7:30 p.m.: IU's Go#mce_temp_url#t Talent spirit competition in the Indiana Memorial Union's Alumni Hall.
For a complete schedule of Homecoming events, visit alumni.indiana.edu/together/homecoming/events.html.

Homecoming events are sponsored by the IU Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Association. One of the largest and most active student organizations at IU Bloomington, the SAA also sponsors student leadership initiatives and events such as Networking Nights, LeaderShape IU and business-etiquette programs. For more information, visit alumni.indiana.edu/affiliates/student.

The IU Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students and friends. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, serving more than 550,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, nonmember alumni and the university. For more information, visit alumni.indiana.edu or call 800-824-3044.