NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Student Government Association and Alumni Association have a full slate of events and activities on tap for Homecoming 2026 this week. This year’s theme, “Blue Raider Country: Meet me at Camp Blue,” promises a rustic good time.

Ahead of Saturday’s parade, tailgating, “Party in the Grove” and football game against rival Western Kentucky, Ginger Freeman, director of alumni relations, joined WKRN-TV host Stephanie Langston for the Wednesday, Nov. 4, “MTSU on 2” segment.

“It’s always special to welcome our alumni and community back to campus,” said Freeman. “Homecoming is a time to come together, reconnect with old friends, make new memories, and celebrate True Blue pride and spirit.”

Watch the full interview below.

With events planned all across campus leading up to homecoming, welcoming MTSU’s Golden Raiders back to the university is one of the most special.

Golden Raiders are MTSU alums who graduated 50 years ago and get the opportunity to visit campus, have lunch and participate in an induction into the Golden Raider Society.

“So many of them have not been on campus in 50 years, so there’s so many new things and buildings on campus. We’re excited for them to see all the things and how campus is evolving,” she said.

Homecoming will culminate in MTSU’s Blue Raiders facing off against their notorious Conference USA rivals, the WKU Hilltoppers, in Floyd Stadium at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7.

With a host of participants — ranging from student organization floats to MTSU athletics teams, Homecoming court, Band of Blue, antique autos and many more — the parade starts on Maney Avenue, comes down East Main Street and turns left onto Middle Tennessee Boulevard — with young parade watchers lining the sidewalks eagerly awaiting the traditional tosses of candy from passing parade entries.

“In my opinion, the Alumni House is the best place to watch the parade. We have a large party in the parking lot, bouncy houses for the kids, Middle Tennessee Electric is there making grilled cheese. We do a commemorative photo that’s free,” Freeman said.

Homecoming events planned for Saturday, Nov. 7.

• Mixer on Middle Parade Watch Party | 9:30 a.m. | 2259 Middle Tennessee Blvd.
MTSU’s annual Alumni Association watch party offers prime parade views with music, souvenir photos and bounce houses. Middle Tennessee Electric will serve grilled cheese sandwiches from their electric griddle. No reservations needed, camping chairs are recommended and parking is available in the back Ingram lot.

• Homecoming Parade | 10 a.m. | Main Street to Middle Tennessee Boulevard  
MTSU’s most iconic tradition marches down East Main Street starting at Maney Avenue, turns left onto Middle Tennessee Boulevard and ends before Greenland Drive. Community members, groups and businesses are welcome to join the parade lineup by registering here.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Luncheon | 11 a.m. | The Boulevard Bar and Grille
SAE alumni and guests will gather to celebrate MTSU’s Homecoming after the parade.

• SBCME Alumni Homecoming Bash | noon-2 p.m. | Bragg Building
Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment alums are invited back to Bragg for an exclusive pregame gathering featuring appetizers, music and time to reconnect before kickoff. RSVP here.

• Party In the Grove | 11:30 a.m. | Walnut Grove 
This year’s Homecoming tailgate features independent singer-songwriter Grace Leer, whose time on the television show “American Idol” launched her into the spotlight. Her 12:30 p.m. performance is bookended by Raider Walk at noon and the Follow Me to Floyd march at 2 p.m.

• Blue Raiders vs. Hilltoppers | 2:30 p.m. | Floyd Stadium
Cheer on MTSU’s Blue Raider football team as they take on the WKU Hilltoppers.

— DeAnn Hays ([email protected])