Sept. 11, 2013

Chicago Homecoming Central | Illini Fest Tailgate (Map) | Tickets | Promo Video | Gameday Central

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Fighting Illini fans will be able to enjoy several events surrounding the Illinois-Washington Chicago Homecoming football game Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

1-4:30 p.m. - Illini Fest Tailgate
Fighting Illini Athletics, along with the University of Illinois Foundation and University of Illinois Alumni Association, will be hosting a FREE "Illini Fest" tailgate event prior to the Sept. 14 Chicago Homecoming game at Soldier Field.

     Illini Fest Tailgate Timeline
     • 1 p.m. - Illini Fest opens at Stadium Green just southeast of Soldier Field - FREE admission (MAP)
          Food and beer for sale, FREE cotton candy, snow cones, face painting, air brush & caricaturist for fans
     • 1-2:30 p.m. - Live Music: 97Nine (classic rock)
     • 1-2:30 p.m. - Illini Fest big screen showing Nebraska/UCLA game
     • 2:30-3 p.m. - Illinois student groups The Other Guys and The Girls Next Door perform at Illini Fest
     • 2:30 p.m. - Illini Fest big screen showing Alabama/Texas A&M game
     • 3-3:45 p.m. - Former Illini QB Juice Williams and the 2013-14 Illini men's basketball team autograph signing (DIA booth)
     • 3-4:30 p.m. - Live Music: Suburban Cowboys (country)

2:45 p.m. - Illini Walk
Cheer on the Illini, along with the Marching Illini, cheerleaders, Illinettes and Illini Dance Team, as they come right through Illini Fest on their way into Soldier Field.

4:55 p.m. - Jim Cornelison performs National Anthem
Chicago icon and fulltime national anthem singer for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks will perform the Star Spangled Banner.

4:59 p.m. - Dick Butkus honorary coin toss
Illinois and Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus will conduct the coin toss at midfield prior to kickoff.

5:01 p.m. - Chicago Homecoming game | Game Notes | Gameday Central
     Illinois (2-0) vs. No. 19/23 Washington (1-0)
     Television: Big Ten Network | BTN Gamefinder
     Radio: Fighting Illini Radio Network | Affiliates

Tickets
Tickets for the Chicago Homecoming game start at $30 and are on sale now.