It’s a busy week for Southern Illinois University and the student body as Homecoming Week lassos students in for a week of Western themed activities.
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Southern Illinois University alumni association is working with the city of Carbondale and River Radio LLC to Shut Down the Strip of Downtown Carbondale to celebrate SIU’s Homecoming Week to bring music and festive country fun to the student body and community.
“I feel having Main Street shut off for concerts is exciting,” Sophomore Ny’asia Collins said. “I feel like that’s a great opportunity for the community to get together and have fun. It also may bring more people in if they see it going on. I think it’s a good idea.”
Sean Cooney, the assistant director of the Student Engagement and Programming Office and adviser for Student Programming Council and the Dawg Pound, said “Homecoming is a celebration of SIU and its alma mater and really having an opportunity to come celebrate and to provide a distraction for students since we are in the middle of the semester.”
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Alongside shutting down The Strip, there are many other homecoming festivities for students to partake in.
Hunter Hayes with his opener Tiera Kennedy will be performing at the Shryock Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m., each student ID gets three tickets. Student tickets are on sale now in person at Banterra’s box office and online through SIU Special Events.
The Saluki Block Party is set for Thursday, Oct. 10. The event is free to attend with music, games and rides. The block party will be on Lincoln Drive, in front of Pulliam Hall. As per SIU’s safety guidelines and rules to ensure everyone’s safety, no glass bottles, no underage drinking, no solicitation, no pets and no smoking.
Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. presents the 2024 Homecoming Step Show, which will be Friday Oct. 11, at Shyrock Auditorium at 7 p.m. where the Greek community will showcase their organizations through step routines.
Oct. 11 is also when “shut down The Strip” will take place S. Illinois Ave. from College to Elm St. and Cherry St. from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and music will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. long time local legends Jungle Dogs will be performing for their farewell show, alongside Modern Day Saints.
“I’m extremely excited for shut down The Strip, it’s a good way for students to get away from the mid-semester stress,” Freshman Alexa Hogate said.
The homecoming parade will take place Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. in downtown Carbondale. The parade starts at East Mill Street going north on Illinois Avenue, turning left on West Cherry Street, then left on University Avenue and merges onto South Illinois Avenue, goes right on Lincoln Drive and ends in front of the Student Center. The parade is followed by the tailgate and homecoming game. The Saluki tailgate will take place on Saluki Row outside of the stadium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 the Saluki football team faces North Dakota State with a 2 p.m. kickoff time. Homecoming royalty will be announced at halftime.
And to conclude homecoming week the Miss Eboness pageant takes place at 5 p.m. at Shryock Auditorium. A ticket is required and more information can be found at homecoming.siu.edu.
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