Homecoming Week at Tennessee: Paint Knoxville orange with these student and alumni events

Liz Kellar, Knoxville News Sentinel
·5 min read

Don all your orange-and-white apparel and get ready to celebrate all things Vols, because it's Homecoming Week for the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Homecoming is a great time for alumni to reconnect to the campus and reunite with old friends. This year's events are scheduled Oct. 29-Nov. 4. The festivities will wrap up Saturday with Tennessee football facing UConn. But leading up to the big game, there are plenty of activities planned to get in the Volunteer spirit.

Homecoming, with the theme this year of "There's No Place Like Neyland," provides opportunities for the whole community to engage in the Volunteer spirit and feel at home on Rocky Top.

Make the most of the annual gathering by checking out these events:

Sunday, Oct. 29: Paint the Union

  • Paint the Union 2023, 3-10 p.m. at Student Union. Student organizations can show off their UT spirit ; organizations will be assigned a glass window section of the Student Union and judged on creativity and design in adherence to the theme, "There's No Place Like Neyland."

  • Student Government Association Homecoming Bonfire, 8-11 p.m. at Fiji Island. Kick off homecoming week with live music performed by Alex and the Animals and free food from Crave 865.

Monday, Oct. 30: VolFest 2023

  • Chalk Pedestrian Walkway, 3-6 p.m., between Andy Holt Avenue and Volunteer Boulevard. Campus departments and student organizations will have a small section to decorate with sidewalk chalk in adherence to the theme of "There's No Place Like Neyland."

  • Chancellor's Homecoming Kickoff, 3:45-5 p.m. at Humanities and Social Sciences Plaza. Chancellor Donde Plowman will lead the crowd in the UT tradition of dyeing the Europa and the Bull fountain orange. Students will be able to partake in free food served by the Chancellor's Cabinet and receive their homecoming T-shirts. The big orange pumpkin patch and painting will return as well as a very special performance following the kickoff.

  • VolFest 2023 with Waka Flocka Flame and Sage The Gemini, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Circle Park. Join the Center for Student Engagement and Multicultural Student Life for VolFest 2023, in collaboration with the Campus Events Board and the Black Cultural Programming Committee. Student ID required.

Tuesday, Oct. 31: Paint the Town Orange

  • Banner drop from Neyland, noon, Neyland Stadium.

  • Paint the Town Orange, 6-9 p.m., various locations. Knoxville area businesses and community partners are invited to join in celebrating UT homecoming in a window painting competition. Students will serve as judges and will be visiting participating locations starting at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 1: Smokey's Howl

  • Tower of Cans, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., recycling center and various other locations. Student organizations and school departments are asked to collect cans and then compete to build the tallest tower out of their donations. The scores from this event reflect the amount of donations and the height of the tower. This event benefits FISH Pantries.

  • Multicultural Mentoring Program Freshman Pageant, 6-8 p.m., Student Union., 262C. The event allows first-year students to showcase their personalities and talents to the UT student body.

  • Smokey's Howl, 8-10 p.m., Student Union 180. Student organizations are invited to compete in Smokey's Howl Spirit Competition. Groups will rehearse their routine and perform for what is sure to be a packed crowd.

Thursday, Nov. 2: Homecoming Comedy show

  • Office of Multicultural Student Life Homecoming Comedy Show, 7-9 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. A night of laughter with comedians Justina Valentine and Conceited as they host a live action version of their hit show "Wild'n Out." Hosted in collaboration with the Black Cultural Programming Committee.

Friday, Nov. 3: Homecoming Parade, concert

  • Baker School Homecoming Open House, 12:30-2 p.m., Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Toyota Auditorium. Drop by for an opportunity to celebrate current students, staff, faculty, and UTK alumni who were involved at the Baker School. Light refreshments and Baker School t-shirts will be provided for all who attend.

  • Rocky Top Rally, 2-4 p.m., Torchbearer Plaza. Join the Center for Student Engagement for a pre-parade celebration full of novelties, free food, and other activities. The rally will lead directly into the homecoming parade.

  • Little Vol Walk, 3:30 p.m. meet on lawn of Student Health Building. Dress up your Little Vols (10 and younger) in their orange and white, and march in the 2023 Homecoming parade. Little Vols can ride in strollers, walk or ride tricycles. Face painting and snacks will be available prior to the parade.

  • Homecoming Parade, 4-5 p.m., Fraternity Park to Neyland Stadium. Join Grand Marshal and Vol for Life Al Wilson for the parade that will extend from Fraternity Park down Volunteer Boulevard and then will end at the bottom of Peyton Manning Pass in front of Neyland Stadium.

  • Southeastern Stomp Fest, 7-10 p.m., Student Union Auditorium. A signature homecoming event, Stomp Fest features performances by the National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities.

  • UT Singers Homecoming Concert, 7:30 p.m., Natalie Haslam Music Center, Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall Join the UT Singers at its annual homecoming concert.

Saturday, Nov. 4: Tennessee football vs. UConn game day

  • The Reunion: Family-Friendly Tailgate and Watch Party, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Humanities and Social Sciences Building lawn. This family-friendly tailgate will have something for all ages: a DJ, a live band, cash bar, food, bouncy houses, a 360 photo booth and more. There also is a tailgate party hosted by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life and Multicultural Student Life in Fiji Island for current students and recent alumni.

  • Tennessee v. UConn, noon, Neyland Stadium. The Vols have never played UConn before. It will be their final regular-season nonconference game of the season.

Liz Kellar is a Tennessee Connect reporter. Email liz.kellar@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee Homecoming 2023: Knoxville events for students, alumni