Messenger/ Ngoc Vo

With this year theme “Getting Back to our Roots: We Are One,” Troy University homecoming brings attention to Troy’s heritage and roots as well as the university’s, according to Homecoming Director William Johnson.

Troy University’s SGA kick-started homecoming week on Saturday with a service day.

“All organizations that are involved with homecoming came to clean up the Arboretum for three hours Saturday morning,” Johnson said. “In the afternoon we had a canned food drive. Approximately 3,000 cans of food were donated, and they will be distributed to charity groups.”

Johnson said the service day is the biggest difference in homecoming plans compared to previous years.

“This is the second year we have done this,” Johnson said. “It’s something new. Before, we only had members from organizations clean up across campus, not specifically the Arboretum.”

On Monday, the homecoming committee held a ceremony to erect a tree representing what homecoming this year stands for, Johnson said. The tree was set up in Trojan Dining Hall where students can purchase a $3 leaf to put on the tree.

The ceremony symbolizes how the students come from different roots but are now on one Troy tree. All the proceeds of the event will go to Troy University’s Alumni Association scholarships for chosen students. “(The SGA) has not estimated how much we raised, but the event turned out to be successful,” Johnson said.

Troy’s homecoming dance competition, which is designed to highlight Troy’s military roots, was held at the Trojan Arena.

The winner will be announced Saturday, according to Johnson.

The skit competition will be held tonight at the same venue from 7 to 9 p.m. with focus on Troy’s athletic roots. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Tailgate for Troops will be held on Tailgate Terrace beside the baseball field from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday. The tailgate will emphasize Troy’s international roots as various dishes from international students will be offered. The Homecoming Pep Rally will be at 6 p.m. at Trojan Arena and the doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Troy UAC will put on the Homecoming Comedy Show on Friday night at 7:30 at Crosby Theater. The show stars Tony Rock, host of the popular “ShowTime at the Apollo.” The event will be free for students; general admission is $10.

Troy’s homecoming parade hosted by Pike County Chamber of Commerce will start Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with line up on Elm Street, going through the downtown square and ending on Madison Street. There will be floats, banners and parade units from Troy University’s student organizations and the community.

A Downtown Troy Tailgate event will take place throughout the day, with a free concert by the Jim Bell Trio from 6 to 9 p.m.

Trojan Walk will be held at 11:45 a.m. Saturday with the path from Sartain to the Riddle Pace Field. Troy Trojans football will play the homecoming game at 2 p.m. against New Mexico State.