MACON — Mercer University’s music-themed Homecoming celebration kicks off Sunday, Feb. 5. The MercerPalooza celebration will include a number of events to bring the Mercer and Macon communities together, highlighted by a Homecoming Parade down College Street in Macon on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m.
This year’s parade will feature floats designed by Mercer student organizations, a school marching band, an antique fire truck, a dance troupe and floats from local businesses based on this year’s theme, MercerPalooza.
“I think the parade is going to be a great time for everyone, not only members of the Mercer community, but also members of the Macon community,” said Mercer’s Beth Evans, assistant director of Campus Life and Quadworks advisor. “The parade will be a great time to come together and have a celebration that will help strengthen the bond between the communities.”
The parade promises to be a fun and exciting family-friendly event. The 2-mile route will begin in front of Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law on Bond Street, continue to Georgia Avenue and finally turn on College Street toward Mercer’s main campus.
A tradition of Mercer Homecoming celebrations, the Homecoming Parade is venturing off-campus for only the second time in recent history. Traditionally, the parade only included a route on Mercer’s campus. The parade route was moved off campus in 2004 to include a route that celebrates the link between Mercer and Macon. This year’s parade will feature a marching band from M.A. Evans School, representatives from Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, an antique fire truck from the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department and an African dance troupe from the Tubman African American Museum.
The community is also invited to attend several other events at MercerPalooza:
On Thursday, Feb. 9, the University will host a Battle of the Bands at the Shrine Temple on Poplar Street beginning at 7 p.m. Admission to the event is $2 with all proceeds going to support St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The event will feature bands that have Mercer students as members. There will also be a family-friendly Freestyle contest, where students will pit their rap skills against one another.
On Friday, Feb. 10, the Mercer men’s and women’s basketball teams will take on Stetson at the University Center. The women’s game begins at 4:30 p.m. and the men’s game will begin at 7:30 p.m. At halftime of the women’s game, the Mercer University Homecoming Court will be announced and, at halftime of the men’s game, the king and queen will be crowned.
On Saturday morning, Feb. 11, the University will host its annual Fun Run, a 5K event that is free and open to anyone who would like to participate. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race will begin at 8 a.m.
For a full schedule of events, check www.mercer.edu/quadworks or contact Beth Evans at (478) 301-2868.
About Mercer University:
Founded in 1833, Mercer University has campuses in Macon and Atlanta as well as regional academic centers in Macon, Henry County, Douglas County and the city of Eastman. With 10 schools and colleges, the University offers programs in liberal arts, business, engineering, education, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law and theology. For 16 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has named Mercer University as one of the leading universities in the South. The Princeton Review has ranked it among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation.
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