TO:  University of Idaho Students, Faculty and Staff
FROM:  Scott Green, President
DATE:  Sept. 30, 2021
SUBJECT:  Join Us for Vandal Fest and Homecoming, Oct. 3-9

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The leaves are starting to turn into beautiful colors and the temperatures starting to dip, which means Homecoming is right around the corner. Homecoming is always an energizing time on campus and in our community. This year is extra special as we will also celebrate the grand opening of our ICCU Arena, plus launch our Brave. Bold. campaign. These events will bolster our traditional Homecoming events Friday evening, including the Vandal Rally in the Kibbie Dome parking lot with live music, food trucks, games and activities for all ages.

I encourage you to participate in Homecoming and Vandal Fest activities Oct. 3-9. Participate in the blood drive, the food drive, the parade downtown and Vandal athletic competitions to name just a few. See the lineup of Homecoming activities.

Friday, Oct. 8, is a day for the history books. All activities are open to the public and free to attend. See the Vandal Fest lineup.

• 2:15 p.m. Tree Planting in Honor of President Roosevelt – West Plaza of ICCU Arena
• 5 p.m. ICCU Arena Ribbon Cutting – West Plaza of ICCU Arena
• 5:30 p.m. Brave. Bold. Launch – Inside ICCU Arena
• 5:30-9:30 p.m. Vandal Rally – Kibbie Dome Parking Lot
  • Live music, food trucks and beverages
  • Serpentine, bonfire and crowning of 2021 royalty
  • ICCU and Best Western Plus Homecoming Fireworks

There will be free tours of ICCU Arena from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. I encourage all of you to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opening of our arena and launch of the largest fundraising campaign in Idaho history. We welcome you to bring your family and friends to enjoy the parade and take in the innovative ICCU Arena before going into the football game. Don’t have your game tickets yet? Purchase your tickets.

It takes a team effort to pull off these activities all week long, and we couldn’t do it without volunteers. Consider volunteering for Vandal Fest.

For the safety and security of those participating, we will enforce several safety protocols, including a clear bag policy. There will also be metal detection at the football game Saturday. New this year is alcohol service during Vandal Rally and Saturday’s tailgate in the designated area and inside the Kibbie Dome for the football game. All parties will be asked to show identification and wear a wrist band for service.

Vandal Fest and Homecoming are calling Vandals “home,” and this means on-campus parking will be at a premium, particularly Thursday and Friday, Oct. 7, and 8. Students and employees are encouraged to use alternative transportation.

West Kibbie Dome parking lots will close to annual campus parking permit holders after 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, for Vandal Fest setup and will remain closed through the end of Homecoming game festivities Sunday, Oct. 9. Impacted campus permit holders can find alternative parking options in the highlighted lots shown on the Closed Parking Lot Relocation Options map.

Blue Lot 60, on the east end of campus behind the Intermodal Transit Center, will close at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, and will transform into overflow RV parking. Overflow RV parking in Blue Lot 60 is sold out, so those who regularly park in that lot are encouraged to plan a timely exit on Oct. 8.

The Moscow Chamber of Commerce and local businesses are important partners. They are hosting Moscowberfest Saturday, Oct. 2, in downtown Moscow’s newly minted entertainment district. This event is free to the community, with food and beverages available. These businesses help us create a great experience for our alumni when they return to Moscow, so I encourage you to support them this weekend and all year long.

This Vandal Fest and Homecoming week promise to be the best ever produced. It will be a fantastic celebration of a university on the rise. I look forward to seeing you there!

Go Vandals!

Scott Green
President

president@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/president