Starring the Ragin’ Cajuns: The University hosts Homecoming Week festivities November 3-9

Homecoming Week 2024 is quickly approaching, and we're ready to celebrate with our alumni and friends! Beginning Monday, Nov. 4, the Alumni Association will host events and activities leading up to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns facing off against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9. The theme this year is "Starring the Ragin' Cajuns!"

The festivities begin with our Food Truck Roundup from 4-7 p.m. at the Alumni Center on Monday, Nov. 4. The entire community is invited to grab a bite to eat from local food trucks while enjoying music from the band Three Thirty Seven. The Sigma Nu Alumni Chapter will also be hosting a special social during this event, complete with a reserved area in the Alumni Center Board Room for attendees.

Our Paint the Town Red contest is back again this year for schools and businesses in Acadiana and beyond. The schools' contest will take place entirely virtually, so educators can participate across the country by showing off their Ragin' Cajuns spirit and submitting photos or videos by Tuesday, Nov. 5. On Thursday, Nov. 7, judges will travel across the community for the Paint the Town Red – Businesses contest. Businesses across Acadiana can participate by decorating their interiors and exteriors in vermilion and white. A virtual option is also available for this portion of the contest.

The Homecoming excitement continues Thursday night with our Dean + Alumni Chapter Receptions. Our Alumni Chapters will partner with each college for networking receptions across campus from 5-7:30 p.m. Mix and mingle with your dean and fellow alumni at these special celebrations during Homecoming Week.

Friday, Nov. 8, will begin bright and early with our Homecoming Tennis and Pickleball Tournaments. That's right! This year, we'll be debuting a new pickleball tournament to complement our popular tennis tournament. Both tournaments will be held at Red Lerille's Health and Racquet Club. That evening, our Golden Ambassador Society Dinner will take place at the Petroleum Club of Lafayette beginning at 5:30 p.m. Alumni who have celebrated at least their 50th anniversary milestone are invited to attend this dinner, including music and dancing.

If you're traveling to Homecoming from out of town, join our Ragin' Cajun Clubs Homecoming Hangout for a night to remember. Meet up at The Yard Goat for a relaxed hangout before the weekend kicks into high gear. This new event is hosted by the Austin, Ark-La-Tex, Houston, New Orleans and Northshore Ragin' Cajun Clubs but is open to all out-of-area Ragin' Cajuns.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter will hold its annual Sweet Sounds of Sharing program at 10 a.m. in the Bayou Bijou Theater. A Zydeco brunch reception will immediately follow the program in the Student Union ballroom. All proceeds from the event will go toward the chapter's scholarships and programming efforts. 

Finally, the week of festivities will conclude Saturday with the Homecoming Parade. The parade will begin at Blackham Coliseum before making its way to Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium and eventually passing the Alumni Association tailgating area at Russo Park. Our tailgating area opens three hours before kickoff and is the perfect place to watch the parade before the football game. If you can't make it to Lafayette for the big game, join us at one of our watch parties hosted by the Dallas/Fort Worth Ragin' Cajun Club or the Emerald Coast Ragin' Cajun Club.

That Sunday, alumni and friends are also invited to the 2024 Homecoming Concert. Join the School of Music & Performing Arts for a free "To the Stars" concert with the UL Wind Ensemble. More information about the concert will be released soon.

We can't wait to celebrate with our alumni, friends and fans during Homecoming Week 2024. View the full schedule here and register for your favorite events. Tickets for the Homecoming Football Game are available online, as well.

The Presenting Sponsor, Ace Specialties, proudly supports Homecoming Week. We'd also like to thank our other sponsors for their support.

• Superior Grill Lafayette
• Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux @ Lafayette
• Lee Michael's
• Lowry’s Printing & Copying
• b1Bank
• Dupre Carrier Godchaux Agency, Inc.
• Pixus Digital Printing
• Jet Coffee
• Krewe of Bonaparte
• Acadiana Trophies
• Schilling Distributing
• Lafayette Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
• Party Central