Homecoming and Family Weekend is Oct. 12-14, and CSU is inviting alumni, families, Ram fans and the entire community to campus to celebrate all things CSU.
The Festival on the Oval will take place from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13. Last year the public event attracted more than 8,000 people.
This year, the Festival on the Oval will feature live music by the band Funky Business, photo opportunities with four-legged CAM the Ram, a large beverage garden, food trucks, inflatables, activities and a wide variety of interactive booths, including one dedicated to a fan gear and clothing swap.
There will be about 85 booths this year, and 12 beverage partners offering alcoholic and nonalcoholic products in the beverage garden. In addition, 10 food trucks will be on hand. Admission to the festival is free.
After Festival on the Oval, the CSU Marching Band and Spirit Squad will lead the crowd to Friday Night Lights, which features the pep rally, bonfire, fireworks and lighting of the A, west of the Lory Student Center.
Saturday events
The next day kicks off with the Homecoming 5K Race at 8 a.m. on the Oval, followed by the Ram Walk Tailgate, which is free and open to the public. Kickoff for the home football game against Boise State is at 7:45 p.m.
The Ram Walk Tailgate starts four hours prior to kickoff, is free and open to all, and features live music and food, beer and wine for purchase. The Smith Alumni Center will be open at the same time with college football games on the big screen, photo opps with CAM the Ram, and more. Be sure to come hungry, as there’s a BBQ meal package available during the Tailgate as well. BBQ tickets can be purchased here. And finally, don’t miss the Old Main Bell ringing 45 minutes before kickoff, when CSU welcomes Distinguished Alumni Award winners Neyla (‘79) and Mark Driscoll (’76, ’79) home to ring back tradition.
Below is a rundown of the weekend’s events. Visit homecoming.colostate.edu for updates and more information.
Schedule at a glance
Below is a snapshot of the weekend’s cornerstone events. The full list of events is available online, and more information can be found at homecoming.colostate.edu.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
5-9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12, Lory Student Center Theatre
Celebrate the alumni that represent the very best of the values CSU holds dear – extraordinary achievement, selfless public service and a lifelong commitment to Ram Pride.
50 Year Club Luncheon
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13, Hilton Fort Collins
Celebrate the 89th anniversary of the 50 Year Club as CSU inducts the Class of 1973 and honors the Public Service and Career Achievement Award winners.
Festival on the Oval
3-6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13, at the Oval
Festival on the Oval features a beverage garden, live music, inflatables, CSU Marching Band and Spirit Squad performance, and more than 70 interactive booths from dozens of areas on campus and around the community.
CSU Alumni Association Member BBQ
5:30-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13, west of the Lagoon
Exclusive member access to the best seat in the house for Friday Night Lights, performances by the CSU Marching Band and Poms teams, beer garden, BBQ, and more.
Friday Night Lights (bonfire, fireworks, lighting of the A)
6-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13, west of the Lory Student Center
Enjoy one of Homecoming’s most iconic traditions in the bonfire and fireworks displays, hear from CSU Athletics and jam with the DJ during the pre-game pep rally.
Game day
Homecoming 5K Race
8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Oval
The annual Homecoming 5K Race begins at 8 a.m. on the Oval. More information is available at https://col.st/dIf3v.
Ram Walk Tailgate
3:45-7:15 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, north of Canvas Stadium
Tailgate with fellow Rams fans during the Coors Light Ram Walk Tailgate and inside the Iris & Michael Smith Alumni Center – where there will be food and drink for purchase, photos with CAM and more. A meal package from Brothers BBQ is also available for prepurchase. BBQ meal tickets must be purchased in advance online, and include the meal and a drink ticket (alcohol or non-alcohol). Prices are $25 for adults and $15 for children. Live music will be provided by the FinalEyes Band at the Tailgate and Reminisce at the Alumni Center. In addition, Ram Town features inflatables, interactive activities, live music, food truck and a beverage garden.
Colorado State vs. Boise State
7:45 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, Canvas Stadium
The culmination of one of the best weekends of the year – grab all the swag collected from the tailgate and head into Canvas Stadium to cheer on the Rams as they take on the Boise State Broncos. It will be a Green Out game with a sustainability theme.
