EIU Media Relations

EIU ‘Gives Back’ During Homecoming Parade

Every year during Eastern Illinois University’s Homecoming Parade, student groups and community members throw candy to onlookers. This year, EIU is asking for something in return — socks.

As part of the national Socktober campaign, EIU is teaming up with SoulPancake and Kid President to prove that even the smallest acts of love, like donating a pair of new socks, can make a difference for those in need.

EIU’s student-cheering group, Blue Crew will collect socks as they walk and hand out candy in the parade. All donated socks will go to local community agencies in need. The campaign will continue throughout the month of October with donation boxes in the residence halls’ front desks as well at the Student Activities Center and the Student Community Service Office, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

EIU’s 100^th Homecoming parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue. The route is as follows: north on Seventh Street, west on Monroe Avenue, south on Sixth Street, west on Polk Avenue, south on Division Street, and east on Grant Avenue (aka Panther Way), ending at the tailgate area at O'Brien Stadium. The parade is titled “100 Years of Coming Home.”

For more information, about the campaign, click here. For more information about 100^th year of Homecoming events, click here.

Other Homecoming events on Saturday include:

• Rotary Pancake Breakfast: (6 a.m.-noon at Dirty’s Bar and Grill parking lot) The Pancake Breakfast consists of an all-you-can-eat sunrise breakfast for the EIU and Charleston communities prior to the start of the EIU Homecoming 2.5 Race and parade events. The event is sponsored by the Charleston Rotary Club with proceeds benefiting local charities. The breakfast is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 10.

• 16^th Annual Homecoming 2.5 K Race: The EIU 2.5K Homecoming Race is for runners and walkers of all ages and begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Participants begin at the corner of Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue, making their way north on Seventh Street to the Charleston Square, then returning to Old Main via Sixth Street. An entry fee of $10 will be collected from each participant, while awards will be presented for the top male and female finisher in each of three categories: run, walk and wheelchair.

• Billy’s Backyard Tailgate: The Billy's Backyard Tailgate consists of pregame festivities for friends and alumni from the EIU and Charleston communities. Activities include: EIU alumni receptions, the Alumni Tent City, Kid's Corner, free food, inflatable games, live entertainment, giveaways and more. The tailgate kicks off from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the O’Brien Stadium parking lot.

• 2015 Homecoming Football Game: The EIU Panthers will play the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech at 1 p.m. in O’Brien Stadium.