UAB will kick off Homecoming 2020 on Sunday, Sept. 27 with a week of events to bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans in celebration of Blazer pride. This year’s theme is “Land of the Green and Gold.”
   
   So far, Blazers have had to overcome many unprecedented challenges because of the global pandemic, and Homecoming 2020 is no different. The annual event has had to reinvent itself to include a unique assortment of physical and virtual events and activities.
   
   “Although things may look different, we hope this year’s Homecoming activities will continue to provide a sense of Blazer pride,” said Jessica Nathan-Brown, assistant director of student activities in Student Involvement and Leadership. “Our goal is to promote Blazer spirit on campus even during challenging times. We are still united and strong as we celebrate the ‘Land of the Green & Gold’.”
   
   Here is the list of the Homecoming 2020 Events:
   
   • Paint the Town -- Sunday, Sept. 27: Paint the Town is going virtual! Check out the Homecoming Instagram (@uab_homecoming) to see how your fellow Blazers have displayed their Homecoming spirit with posters and banners. If you’re interested in submitting a poster, click here to sign up by 12 p.m. on Sept. 27. Students will be able to drop off poster entries on Sept. 25. Participants will be entered into a drawing for Homecoming T-shirts and buttons. Winners will be announced on Sunday night.
   
   • Mural Your Memories -- Sunday, Sept. 27- Saturday, Oct. 3: All students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to celebrate Homecoming and show Blazer pride by participating in this interactive live photo mosaic. Join in the fun by uploading your photo in your UAB gear or pictures from past Homecoming events! The link to the mosaic will be in the Homecoming Instagram (@uab_homecoming) bio.
   
   •Blazer Spirit Food and Toiletries Drive -- Monday, Sept. 28: Donate two or more non-perishable food and toiletry items for the Blazer Kitchen. The first 120 students to RSVP on Engage for the drive will receive a T-shirt and button when you drop off your donations to the Campus Green. Social distancing will be enforced. Please have your UAB Healthcheck Passport and your Engage Event Pass in order to participate. The Hill Student Center Ballroom will serve as the rain location site.
   
   • Blazer Hustle Social Media Hunt -- Monday, Sept. 28- Wednesday, Sept. 30: Students are invited to participate in this fun exploratory hunt around campus to win a Homecoming T-shirt and button. The first clue will be posted on the Homecoming Instagram page (@uab_homecoming) Monday through Wednesday at 9 a.m. Once locations are found, scan the QR code on the sign at each location and follow the directions. The first person to complete the full hunt by 6 p.m. each day will win a T-shirt and button. A new set of clues will be posted each day in different areas on campus.
   
   • Pancakes & Karaoke -- Tuesday, Sept. 29: Join us for an evening of pancakes, karaoke, and Blazer fun! The first 100 students to RSVP on Engage will receive a free pancake dinner from the Commons. To-go meals will be available for pick up between 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. The meal is for UAB students only. Once you have your meal, tune in to the Homecoming Instagram Live (@uab_homecoming) for some karaoke with your favorite Blazers! Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are welcome to participate in karaoke. Are you interested in singing your favorite song live? Click here to sign up. Karaoke participants will be entered into a drawing to win Homecoming T-shirts and buttons.
   
   • Homecoming Yard Sign Decoration Competition -- Tuesday, Sept. 29: Blazers, we are bringing Homecoming to you! Get your UAB Homecoming 2020 yard sign and show your Blazer Pride. Place the sign in your yard and tag us (@uabalumni and #uabhomecoming) on social media. 
   
   • Painting with the Provost -- Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.: Blazers join UAB Provost Pamela Benoit, Ph.D., during this interactive webinar. She will take you on an artistic journey while you paint your own display-worthy version of Blaze. The event is free, but registration is required.  
   
   Due to the fall social event guidelines, UAB will not host the Homecoming parade in the traditional format. Instead, a virtual parade experience will be offered on Friday, Oct. 2 that will include photos and videos from previous Homecoming parades. The parade is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.
   
   The UAB football team will host UTSA on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11:30 a.m. in the annual Homecoming game at Legion Field.
   
   Homecoming coordinators hope that all participants will have a great time and strongly encourage the UAB community to show off their Blazer spirit by observing the university’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.
   
   For a full schedule of all Homecoming events, visit the UAB Homecoming page. For questions, visit the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership in the Hill Student Center, Suite 230. You may also email homecoming@uab.edu or call (205) 934-8020.