This year’s Homecoming festivities will be a family affair.
Little Vols ages ten and under are invited to don their orange and white to march in the Homecoming parade on Friday, November 8, and then enjoy crafts and treats with alumna Carol Aebersold, creator of Elf on the Shelf.
The Little Vol Walk, now in its fourth season, gets bigger every year as families bring decorated tricycles, scooters, wagons, and strollers to the parade. Families will line up at 3:30 p.m. on the corner of Pat Head Summitt Street and Volunteer Boulevard, traveling east to Neyland Stadium, with Aebersold and Smokey leading the way.
After the parade, Little Vols are invited to Circle Park to watch An Elf’s Story: The Elf on the Shelf, a thirty-minute animated feature based on the best-selling holiday children’s book The Elf on the Shelf. The children also can participate in crafts and enjoy milk and cookies with Aebersold.
More than six million copies of the Elf on the Shelf books and elf doll have sold. The popularity continues to grow, with an appearance scheduled for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade again this year and a new book just released on October 23.
While in town, Aebersold will receive the Accomplished Alumni Award from the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development. The Accomplished Alumni program recognizes notable alumni for their success and distinction within their field. She joins a variety of outstanding alumni who have been honored, including CEOs of major corporations, Olympians, authors, artists, musicians, U.S. ambassadors, and civic leaders.
From 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, families are invited to enjoy the festivities at Party in the Park in Circle Park. There will be games, balloon art, face painting, and another opportunity to meet Aebersold. Live entertainment will be provided by the UT cheerleaders and the pep band.
There is no cost to participate in the Little Vol Walk or the Elf on the Shelf family activities, although parents must register in advance and fill out a liability form for children who will take part in the parade. Due to space, registration for the Elf on the Shelf movie and crafts is limited to 200. Register for Little Vol Walk and other activities here.
The UT Office of Alumni Affairs is also hosting a pregame barbecue during Party in the Park. Cost is $12 per adult and $8 per child ages ten and under. Registration and payment are required in advance. Make a lunch reservation here.
For more information, contact Melissa Smith or Susie Orr at sorr@utfi.org or 865-974-3011.
—
C O N T A C T :
Katherine Saxon (865-974-8365, ksaxon@utk.edu)