North Dakota Ag Connection - Homecoming Meets Potato Bowl This Week

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Homecoming Meets Potato Bowl This Week
North Dakota Ag Connection - 09/20/2018

This week marks the University of North Dakota's Homecoming and the 53rd Annual Potato Bowl celebration -- two of the community's biggest celebrations combined for the first time. On Saturday, the Fighting Hawks take on spud-rich Idaho State at 4 p.m., at the Alerus Center. Photo by Tyler Ingham.

It's a two-for-one this week -- and it's going to be bigger than ever.

Every year about this time, the epicenter of the potato-growing world is the Grand Cities and the Potato Bowl USA festival.

That's often enough. But for the next five days, you really should have no problem filling your date book, as for the first time in UND history, two of the community's biggest celebrations -- the Potato Bowl Week and UND Homecoming -- are being combined.

Along the way, you might spot UND alumnus and NBA coaching legend Phil Jackson making his way around campus. Jackson is slated to receive the Sioux Award, as part of UND Homecoming, on Thursday night at the Alerus Center. The Sioux Award is UND's most prestigious alumni honor.

Then there's the 53rd Annual Potato Bowl celebration, culminating with the big football game at 4 p.m., Saturday, when the UND Fighting Hawks will take on the Bengals of Idaho State, hailing from that other potato-rich spot of the world.

So strap on the feedbag and get ready for a weeks' worth of fun, including the Simplot French Fry Feed and Fireworks on Thursday at University Park, the big combined Homecoming/Potato Bowl USA Parade on Saturday morning, tailgating and, of course, the football game -- where UND's new Fighting Hawks mascot will be officially revealed to the public for the first time.

And, in case you haven't heard, Grand Forks Mayor Mike Brown has proclaimed Friday, Sept. 21 as Fighting Hawk Friday in recognition of the combined Homecoming and Potato Bowl celebration.

The Mayor is encouraging all residents to take part in Homecoming events and activities to support the University of North Dakota, and its students, staff and faculty "who make Grand Forks America's Best College Town."

For a more detailed look at what's going on this week, check out the UND Alumni Association & Foundation's Homecoming page , and the 53rd Annual Potato Bowl USA website for all the latest Potato Bowl news and information.

The Homecoming/Potato Bowl Parade, featuring the UND Pride of the North Marching Band, will navigate through downtown Grand Forks on DeMers Avenue, starting at 10 a.m., on Saturday. Photo by Tyler Ingham.

Here is a quick-reference rundown of select events taking place as part of Homecoming and Potato Bowl Week festivities:

Thursday:

UND Department of Social Work Homecoming Event, 10 a.m., at the Hilton Graden Inn.

Baked Potato Bar, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., all Hugo's locations in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. (Potato Bowl)

North Dakota Digital Atlas Launch of the new multidisciplinar "ND Digital Atlas" website, in O'Kelly Hall, Room 260.

Potato Bowl French Fry Feed and Fireworks, 4 p.m.-dusk, at University Park. (Potato Bowl)

Sioux Awards, featuring alums Phil Jackson '67; Jeanne (Heilman) Crain; '82; Lauris Molbert, '79; Michael Lodoen, and '65; Mary (Muehlen) Maring, '75; and Young Alumni Achievement Award recipients Kayla (Hoerth) Delzer, '08, '14; and Darren Moquist, '00. There will be a 5 p.m., social, followed by a reception at 6:30 p.m., in the Alerus Center Ballroom.

Friday:

Fighting Hawk Friday, all day --Get your green on and show your spirit!

UND Fan Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., at the Alerus Center. (Potato Bowl)

Baked Potato Bar, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., all Hugo's locations in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. (Potato Bowl)

UND Campus Bus Tour, noon-1:30 p.m. Meet at Gorecki Alumni Center.

Forum on 1968, from 2-4 p.m., R221 (second floor) of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences, 1301 N. Columbia Rd. Join classmates, friends, and students to discuss and reflect on the year that launched an era of major social, political and cultural change.

Get Wet and Run Wild at Hugo's Potato Bowl 1K and 2K Races, starting at 4 p.m., at Choice Health and Fitness Center (Free swimming for all racers and their families after the event). (Potato Bowl)

KEM Shrine "Rock'n the Forks" with 32 Below and Blind Joe, 5-11 p.m., at Grand Forks Town Square. (Potato Bowl)

Aerospace 50th Anniversary Banquet & Celebration, 5:30 p.m., at the Alerus Center. The evening will feature a social, short program, dinner and entertainment by the Dueling Pianos.Registration: https://undalumni.org/aero50

Saturday:

Grand Forks Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Grand Forks Central High School. (Potato Bowl)

Sons of Norway Potato Pancake Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Sons of Norway building, 1401 Ninth Ave. S., in Grand Forks. (Potato Bowl)

Potato Bowl & Homecoming Parade, 10 a.m., the route goes right through the heart of downtown Grand Forks on DeMers Avenue.

"Fighting Hawks Live for Game Day" Tailgate, 2-4 p.m., Alerus Center Parking Lots.

53rd Annual UND Potato Bowl/Homecoming Football Game vs Idaho State, 4 p.m., Alerus Center.

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