University of Arkansas Homecoming 2014 “Calling All Hogs Home” presented by the Student Alumni Association will kick off Oct. 12 with a splash of color during the first Color Those Hogs 5k run through downtown Fayetteville. 

Traditional Homecoming events such as the chili cook-off, Hot Dogs with Head Hogs, Create-A-Hog, blood drives, flag football tournament, lawn and banner decoration competitions, the parade and pep rally will continue from Oct. 13 through Oct. 24.

“Basically, this year the committee members worked hard to expand Homecoming beyond student events,” said Ashton Dawson, the Student Alumni Association Homecoming chair. “We’re really excited about the opportunity for the community and alumni to be involved other than just going to the football game.”

The Color Those Hogs 5k is a new event added to this year’s Homecoming event lineup to benefit the university’s Full Circle Campus Food Pantry. Students, alumni and Razorback fans are welcome to participate.

Other Homecoming events also have philanthropic efforts. Campus and community members can donate $1 for a cup of chili during the Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 14. All donations and food will go to the 7Hills Homeless Shelter in Fayetteville. Donations from the Create-A-Hog event will go to the Student Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

“Our philanthropic efforts are to create more of a unified student body,” Dawson said. “The Homecoming events are not only giving back to great causes, but we’re also able to give back to the university and to scholarships.”

The 2014 Homecoming theme of “Calling All Hogs Home,” encourages alumni to come home to the Hill, reminisce and participate in the events.

“This year instead of having different sub-themes, it’s all one central theme to promote more unity,” said Alex Chaffin, Student Alumni Board vice president. “It promotes greater school spirit among the student body and more collaboration as a school.”

On Friday, Oct. 24, the Class of 2013 Senior Walk dedication will be held as well as the parade down Dickson Street and the first Homecoming Pep Rally held at the Arkansas Union Mall. The 2014 Homecoming Court will be announced during the pep rally.

Also on Friday, Oct. 24, the Arkansas Alumni Association will honor the outstanding achievements of 12 alumni and faculty during the 70th Annual Alumni Awards Celebration at the Fayetteville Town Center.

All of the events lead up to the football game against University of Alabama-Birmingham on Oct. 25, when the new Homecoming queen also will be crowned. Prior to the game, Arkansas Alumni Association members and their guests are encouraged to attend the Hog Wild Tailgate at the Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House.

For the complete list of Homecoming events or more information, visit homecoming.uark.edu or call 888-ARK-ALUM. Follow the Student Alumni Association on Twitter @ArkansasSAA for the latest updates.