Both of Jackson's best-known colleges held homecoming events over the Halloween weekend, with a parade, a football game and campus traditions drawing students, alumni and residents.
Lane College parade
Several downtown streets closed Saturday morning for Lane College's annual Homecoming Parade. WBBJ reported that the parade featured marching bands, dance and cheer teams, local organizations, Little Miss Juneteenth and Miss Tennessee Volunteer. The grand marshal was state Rep. Johnny Shaw, who represents District 80 and is retiring from the Tennessee General Assembly. WBBJ said Shaw spent many years supporting the college and attending homecoming festivities. He said he was excited to be grand marshal and hoped to leave a memory that some other student will pick up and remember.
Later Saturday, Lane faced Tuskegee University at 2 p.m. at Lane Field. Homecoming continued that evening with a Halloween edition of the All Black Affair Soiree, starting at 9 p.m. at the Kirkendoll Center.
Union University homecoming week
Across town, Union University held its homecoming tailgate on Friday along with the championship games for intramural flag football, one of the campus's largest student traditions. WBBJ reported that Zeta Tau Alpha faced Chi Omega and Sigma Alpha Epsilon played Lambda Chi Alpha. Student Life Representative Joe Ball said many students came out to cheer for their friends and called the games a fun spirit event.
Ball said the week also included service. More than 600 campus members served across the local area on Tuesday during Campus and Community Day.
Union's homecoming events were scheduled to end Saturday with the tip-off of the men's and women's basketball season, the crowning of Mr. and Miss Union and the awarding of the Homecoming Cup.
Why it matters locally
Homecoming weekends bring visitors and crowds to Jackson and give students and alumni a chance to reconnect. Lane College and Union University are both part of the city's identity, and the events show how the schools connect to the wider community through service, music and tradition.
Sources: WBBJ