UNLV will become a sea of scarlet and gray as students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the community flood main campus and Sam Boyd Stadium to show their Rebel Homecoming Week pride. .
Unveiling of University Center Drive (formerly Swenson Street)
When: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m.
Where: UNLV Intramural Field (southeast corner of Harmon Avenue and Swenson Street)
Media: Please RSVP in advance to the UNLV Office of Media Relations, (702) 895-3102 or mediarelations@unlv.edu
UNLV's Homecoming Week kicks off with this alumni and student-led effort to rename Swenson Street as University Center Drive, from the airport to Desert Inn.
The street sign on the southeast corner of Harmon Ave. and Swenson St., adjacent to the UNLV Intramural Field, will be unveiled during the event. The new University Center Drive will more directly align UNLV and the community, and it’s expected to create a stronger tie to UNLV for the more than 40 million visitors who travel to Las Vegas annually.
The concept was driven by UNLV alumni and students in the Lee Business School, who worked with local agencies to develop a thorough plan including outreach to community groups, businesses, and residents along the corridor.
Rebel Homecoming Kickoff: Window Painting
When: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Student Union Courtyard & Pida Plaza
Kickstart Homecoming week with the Rebel Events Board’s Window Painting competition and celebration, featuring free food, music, and giveaways.
Scarlet and Gray Festival & Parade
When: Friday, Nov. 15. Festival, 5 to 10 p.m. & Parade, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pida Plaza (outside the Student Union), Alumni Amphitheatre, and Academic Mall
The public is invited to Rebel Homecoming Festival. This signature event features five hours of carnival rides and games, live music and karaoke with local entertainers, food, a jumbotron streaming the UNLV-UCLA men's basketball game, and a beer garden aimed at creating the perfect atmosphere to connect and reconnect alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the community.
At 7 p.m., party revelers are invited to line the Academic Mall to greet a procession of floats vying for the top decorator prize. UNLV's eldest living alumna — 105-year-old Audrey James — will be crowned the 2019 honorary homecoming queen, and serve as the parade's cape- and sash-wearing grand marshal. The two-time College of Education graduate will ride the parade route in a convertible.
Football Game, Block Party & Student Tailgate
When: Saturday, Nov. 16. Game, 1 p.m. & Tailgate/Block Party, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium
Media: Coordinate with UNLV Athletics Media Relations at (702) 895-4472
UNLV will battle Hawaii in the annual Ninth Island Showdown, with both teams vying to win a Vegas-style gold pineapple rivalry trophy bearing a variation of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Las Vegas has earned the nickname "The Ninth Island" for its long-standing popularity with Hawaiian students, visitors, and transplants.
Get the party started early during the public block party ($15 for adults, $10 under 21), and private student tailgate featuring free food food, music, and giveaways.