My return from UI is approaching and my schedule is full almost every day.
Here are staff writer Luke Taylor’s top five events to check out.
Alumni kickoff
- 10 a.m. today at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.
- Start your homecoming week right by eating breakfast and making it to the end of the 5km race in time to see the color-changing fountains.
Comedy Magic Show FEAT. Derek Hughes
- Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Illini Union.
- A mid-week event to recharge your spirits while you wait for the weekend. Hughes was a finalist on season 10 of “America’s Got Talent” and has also appeared on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
matcha cafe
- Thursday at Japan House from 12pm to 4pm.
- You can stop by any time in the afternoon, but this tea is popular so it’s worth pre-ordering. Although this is not a “traditional” homecoming event, it is a great opportunity to visit for those who cannot attend the Japan House tea ceremony.
homecoming parade
- Friday 5:30pm. It begins at Kirby Avenue and Fourth Street, traveling north to Gregory Drive, west to First Street, and south back to Kirby.
- It’s a classic homecoming event, but be careful if you’re leaving your job around that time. Traffic will be blocked along the route.
following act
- Various times before Saturday’s football game.
If I hadn’t been driving recklessly, would I really have returned home? Some universities have specific alumni tailgate spots, so be sure to check.