Parade Kicks Off WM Homecoming on Friday

By Amber Lester Kennedy Friday, October 21, 2011

Alumni, family and friends will gather in Williamsburg this weekend for the College of William and Mary’s 84th annual Homecoming, with a parade set for this afternoon.

The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m., starting in front of William & Mary Hall, winding its way through campus and along Richmond Road until ending at the intramural fields. It will be led by 2011 Grand Marshals Timothy Sullivan and his wife, Anne Klare Sullivan.

Timothy Sullivan, a 1966 graduate of the college, was the 25th president of William and Mary, serving from 1992-2005. Until 2009, he was president and CEO of the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News. His wife earned four separate degrees from the college, in 1966, 1968, 1973 and 1986. She is a clinical psychologist. While serving as the college’s president and first lady, the Sullivans rode in 14 parades.

The parade will be followed by a pep rally at Yates Field and then the Friday Night Fest Block Party. Starting at 6:30 p.m., Richmond Road and Scotland Street will be closed from WaWa to the Hospitality House and past Paul’s Deli, the College Delly and the Green Leafe. The block party will include live music, beer trucks and food.

On Saturday, the Homecoming football game will pit the Tribe against Towson University at 3:30 p.m. at Zable Stadium. Alumni Association Executive Vice President Karen Cottrell, class of 1966, promises a fun weekend. “We even have a couple surprises planned for the weekend,” she said in a press release.

The Homecoming schedule includes:

Friday

• 4:30 p.m.: Homecoming Parade begins.

• 6 p.m.: Sunset Ceremony in the Wren Courtyard. The ceremony is a remembrance of alumni, faculty and friends of the college who have passed away during the preceding year.

• 6:30 to 10 p.m.: Friday Night Fest Block Party at the Alumni House, Richmond Road and Scotland Street.

Saturday

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Children’s Carnival on the front lawn of the Alumni House.

• 3:30 p.m.: Homecoming game begins.