[This post contains video, click to play]

To start the week of homecoming, Illinois State University students and community members gathered in Uptown Normal to enjoy the festivities. Carnival games, food vendors, and bounce houses lined the streets of the circle. The Gamma Phi Circus also performed adding to the fun. Before the lighting, speeches were given by football coach Brock Spack, volleyball coach Allie Matters, along with student body president Noah Montoya, President of the University Andover Tarhule and Mayor Chris Kooz. Student body president said “Being able to see that crowd as I spoke tonight was amazing because we have people who are students, we have people who are residents, we have people who are visiting just to feel that pride”. Montoya then led the countdown before they lit all of the trees. ISU continues to host homecoming events all week in preparation for the big homecoming game.