Hokie Nation begins celebrating Homecoming
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to remove Kristi Castlin as the parade marshal. She was unable to travel to Blacksburg to participate.
Virginia Tech will celebrate Homecoming Oct. 10–15 with a schedule full of events for students, alumni, community members, and friends.
The festivities will begin on Monday evening with the Homecoming Kickoff featuring music, food trucks, a chance to meet the Homecoming Court candidates, and more.
Learn more about the 2022 court on Wednesday with a 72 Questions video that will be released on the Homecoming Board’s YouTube channel. Additional student-focused activities will be hosted throughout the week, including a Homecoming Showcase on Tuesday and a Thursday comedy show presented by the Black Student Alliance featuring DeRay Davis.
Homecoming Weekend will begin Friday, with a Pass in Review at 3:30 p.m. in honor of the Class of 1972. Young alumni can meet up at Hokie House for happy hour, and Cornerstone alumni have a special parade watching party planned.
In continuing to honor Virginia Tech’s Sesquicentennial, a special projection will be displayed on Torgersen Bridge just after dark. This moving portrayal of 150 years of the university will explore history with photos, videos, and sound played on a loop during the parade and after, continuing until about 10 p.m.
If you can’t catch the Friday debut of the projection, the event will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday inside the Cube at the Moss Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as projected on Torgersen Bridge from dark until 10 p.m.
The parade will begin at 7 p.m. A time-honored tradition, the parade will travel from Main Street to Alumni Mall and celebrate some of the best that Virginia Tech has to offer.
The night will conclude with the spirit rally with live music from Dan Marshall and a stunning fireworks display over the Drillfield.
Start Saturday with a Sesquicentennial HokieTalk at 9 a.m. The talk will include a discussion from faculty who are helping to create a home for all at Virginia Tech. The Homecoming Tailgate begins at 8:30 a.m. and will feature food, drinks, and Homestead Creamery ice cream. Guests can enjoy music, a petting zoo, lawn games, inflatables, and more.
Groups from across campus are participating in the tailgate, including colleges and the Inclusive Alumni Societies such as the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alumni Society. Several of these groups, including the Black Alumni Society, Native and Indigenous Alumni, the Latinx and Hispanic Alumni Society, Ex Lapide, and Cornerstone Alumni will also be hosting weekend-long festivities.
The fun will culminate with the big event as the Hokies take on Miami in a Maroon Effect game at 12:30 p.m. in Lane Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online.
Events are open to the community. Registration is required for some events, including the Homecoming Tailgate. To learn more and see a complete listing of Homecoming events visit vt.edu/homecoming.
