Kent State University’s Homecoming will take place on Saturday, Oct. 20. Sponsored by the Kent State University Alumni Association, the day will be filled with tradition and exciting activities.

“Homecoming is a great opportunity to invite alumni back to campus so they can reconnect with former classmates and see how their alma mater has changed,” says Nancy Schiappa, Kent State’s associate director of alumni relations and Homecoming chair. “This year, we have our traditional Homecoming activities and we’ve also added a few new, exciting programs.”

In keeping with tradition, the festivities kick off with the 12th annual Bowman Cup 5K Race at 8 a.m. and will be followed at 9 a.m. with the annual alumni continental breakfast and parade viewing hosted at the Williamson Alumni Center, located at 1200 Main St. in Kent. Schiappa says all alumni are welcome to attend the complimentary continental breakfast and watch the Homecoming parade from beginning to end at this great location.

This year’s Homecoming parade theme is “Battle of the Decades.” When the parade steps off at 10 a.m., spectators can expect to see different types of floats, walking units, city and student organizations and university departments representing all different time periods.

Following the parade, the community can take part in several new events.

“Homecoming is about tradition, but we wanted to start some new traditions,” Schiappa says. “After the parade ends, there will be plenty of exciting activities before the big game.”

New Homecoming activities include a family-friendly event with Christopher Carter, proclaimed one of the world’s greatest mind readers, in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. Also in the Kent Student Center will be an art auction for the works of comic strip artists Tom Batiuk, a 1969 graduate of Kent State, and Chuck Ayers, a 1971 graduate of Kent State. Batiuk, creator of the Funky Winkerbean comic strip, collaborates with Ayers on Crankshaft.

Other activities include tours of downtown Kent aboard Lolly the Trolley, the second annual Kiss on the K, the class of 1962 Golden Order reunion luncheon and an open house at the new May 4 Visitors Center.

The Golden Flashes will then take on the Western Michigan Broncos at 3:30 p.m. in Dix Stadium, and the Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at halftime. Individuals planning to attend the game are encouraged to show their support for the Golden Flashes by wearing the university’s colors, blue and gold. Homecoming apparel will be available through the university bookstore.

Additional information about Homecoming and a full event schedule are available at www.ksualumni.org/homecoming.