The University Board Homecoming Committee will give out food as a form of appreciation to Eastern’s faculty and staff Thursday for the “Blue-B-Que” picnic.

The picnic will take place in the North Gym at the McAfee Gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the picnic, the Homecoming Committee plans to feed an estimated 300 to 500 people in four hours.

Barbecue pulled pork, turkey dogs, veggie wraps, chips and drinks, catered by Downtown Diner in Mattoon, will be served.

The “Blue-B-Que” will also feature games, trivia and giveaways.

Ceci Brinker, the director of Student Life Office and a Homecoming Adviser, said it was a collaborated effort to organize the picnic.

While the Homecoming Committee is putting on the luncheon, Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and other departments played a part keeping the activity going for a second year.

“The key to (Blue-B-Que) was so many offices and departments sponsored and donated to the event,” Brinker said.

All the offices and departments that contributed wanted to pay tribute to the staff and faculty because they play an important role in Eastern’s success, Brinker said.

“The faculty and staff do so much behind the scenes, and they want to show appreciation,” Brinker said.

Because of the increased contributions from the departments and the governing bodies, the luncheon will be able to give out more prizes and giveaways than last year, she said. Faculty and staff will also have the opportunity to take photos with Billy the Panther at the luncheon.

T-shirts and other items from the Union Bookstore will be given out as prizes.

The reason they have a faculty/staff appreciation picnic during Homecoming Week is to increase school pride among that group, Brinker said

She added that the Homecoming Committee wanted to have something specific for the staff and faculty besides all the events for alumni and current students.

“When people think of homecoming, they think of alum and students,” Brinker said. “We wanted to make sure homecoming was for everybody.”

Winners of the “Deck the Halls” contest will also be announced at the “Blue-B-Que” luncheon.

“It will be a festive event to show school pride,” she said.

Amanda Wilkinson can be reached 581-2812 or [email protected]