The University of Minnesota Duluth's annual Homecoming Week will kick off this Monday (Oct. 15)  with a community pep rally in downtown Duluth. The event, which is open to the public, will take place at the Minnesota Power Plaza on the corner of Lake Avenue and Superior Street. This year's Homecoming theme is appropriately named “Citizens of Bulldog Country Unite” as the Bulldogs are looking to spread the excitement of Homecoming and unite with the downtown community.

Festivities will start at 12 p.m. and the first 100 attendees will receive free food courtesy of Green Mill. Scheduled to make speaking appearances on Monday are UMD Chancellor Lendley Black, Regent David McMillan, Mayor Don Ness, UMD Athletic Director Bob Nielson, and various Bulldog student-athletes. The UMD Pep Band, Bulldog football cheerleaders and KUMD-Radio are also scheduled to be attendance at the rally, which will include a number of Homecoming giveaways.

In case of inclement weather, the pep rally will be held inside the Tech Village.