Celebrate SLU's Bicentennial Year During Homecoming Weekend
As Saint Louis University celebrates 200 years, Homecoming and Family Weekend 2018, Sept. 27-30, promises to be a "grand celebration" of all that it means to be a Billiken.
Over 3,000 alumni, SLU families, faculty, staff, students and friends of the University have signed up for this year's events.
Popular events, based on pre-registration, include the campus trolley tours, the Legacy Lunch, the Black Alumni Association's celebration for the Black Student Center's 50th anniversary and the School of Medicine reunion.
A street festival will close Grand Boulevard Saturday to mark the University’s milestone year with live music, food for purchase, and fun activities for all ages.
The festival will feature a giant joust, inflatable obstacle course, an LED hard surface rock climbing wall and bungee basketball. Strolling entertainment includes digital caricatures, a street magician, stilt walkers, jugglers and people making balloon animals.
Carnival games (with prizes) include spill the milk, ring toss, tic tac toe, milk can throw, bean bag toss, leaping lizards, duck pond, whip 'n skip and a pig race.
Angie's Burger, Andrew’s Bayou Ribs, French Quarter, Boccardi’s Italian, Wayno’s International and Kona Ice food trucks will be on-site for food and drink purchases.
There will be performances throughout the afternoon, including:
- Student groups from 3-5 p.m.
- Extreme trampoline show, Flippin Out, will perform at 4:30, 5:30 and 7 p.m.
- Band Galaxy Red performs at 5:30 p.m.
The golf cart parade starts at 5 p.m. and the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Other highlights of the weekend include:
Thursday, Sept. 27
The 2018 Homecoming events get underway with the Alumni Merit Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 27. This year, the University will honor a slate of notable Billikens who have lived lives for others through their professional, personal and philanthropic pursuits.
The women's soccer team will square off against Rhode Island at 7 p.m. at Herrman Stadium. Purchase tickets.
Friday, Sept. 28
The School of Nursing will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a gala Friday evening at Busch Stadium. Earlier in the day, the school will welcome sophomore students to the field of health care with the robing of their white coat during the annual White Coat Ceremony. A reception will follow the 1 p.m. ceremony.
Law School Dodransbicentennial - SLU is marking 175 years since the first law school class was held in 1843, making 2018-19 SLU Law's dodransbicentennial year. An alumni open house and reception will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday in the Louis W. Riethmann Jr. Pavilion in Scott Hall.
The volleyball Billikens will play at 6 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena.
The Garden to Table Dinner, Progressive Patio Party and Golden Billiken Dinner for the Class of 1968 are also some of Friday's highlights.
Saturday, Sept. 29
The Hustle for Your Health 5K and Family Fun Walk kicks off Saturday morning. The run starts at 8 a.m. at the Doisy/SLU Medical Center Track. Doisy College for Health Sciences will hold a pancake breakfast in Fresh Gatherings beginning at 9 a.m.
The 28th Annual Ernest A. Calloway Black Alumni Association Prayer Breakfast will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Saint Louis Room of Busch Student Center.
Sunday, Sept. 30
Events will conclude on Sept. 30 with Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church and several brunches including the Golden Billiken Brunch and Brunch with a Billiken.
For full details about all of the festivities celebrating SLU's returning Billikens this year or to register for specific events, visit SLU Homecoming and Family Weekend.