Appalachian Homecoming 2012 to be Held Oct. 5-6

Sept. 12, 2012. Appalachian State University alumni are invited to celebrate “The Big Apple at 3,333 feet” at Homecoming Friday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 6. Events include Friday night’s popular traditions, Saturday tailgating and football at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

For a complete schedule and to register or RSVP for individual events, visit the Homecoming website at www.homecoming.appstate.edu.

Pre-Homecoming events begin Sept. 26 with the 6th Annual ASU 1,000 Pint Homecoming Blood Drive. This year’s drive will be held in the Holmes Center on campus from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The public is welcome to participate, but must register at http://specialevents.appstate.edu/blooddrive.

Homecoming begins Friday, Oct.6, with the 50th Boyles CEO Lecture Series at 10 a.m. in Holmes Convocation Center. The series will feature a panel of previous Boyles lecturers, including William R. Holland, former CEO of United Dominion; Robert Ingram, former CEO of GlaxoSmithKline; James Morgan, CEO of Krispy Kreme; and Bob Tillman, former CEO of Lowe’s.

Also on Friday, the sixth annual Running of the Knob, a two-mile run to the top of Howards Knob, begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Watauga County Library. The Spirit Under the Stars Lip Sync Finals and Pep Rally on Duck Pond Field will begin at 6 p.m.

The Homecoming Alumni Dance will begin at 8 p.m. at Legends featuring the Craig Woolard Band, which will play beach music, rock and other music genres. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Saturday’s events begin with the Appalachian Friends Breakfast in McKinney Alumni Center at 9 a.m., Homecoming Parade in downtown Boone at 10:30 a.m. and the Mountaineer Tailgate Party at Duck Pond Field at 11 a.m.

The parade begins in the Raley parking lot and will follow a route west on Rivers Street, north on Water Street, then east on King Street through downtown Boone. This year’s grand marshals are benefactors George ’58 and Ann Beasley of Naples, Fla. An alumnus, Beasley and his wife have supported scholarships, athletics and the Department of Communication. The Beasley Media Complex, set to open in 2013, bears his name.

Kickoff for the football game against Elon University is 3:30 p.m. After the game, Homecoming events continue with the Step Show and After Party at Legends at 8:30 p.m.

Organizations and departments from around campus will also host individual activities Friday and Saturday. A list of these events can also be found at www.homecoming.appstate.edu.