Homecoming at Florida State University has always been an exciting time for alumni from across the nation to return to campus and join current students in celebration of an extraordinary university and its unconquered spirit, and Oct. 21-27 they’ll do it again during “Homecoming 007: Garnet and Gold Encounters.”

Events planned for this year’s Homecoming Week––which kicked off on Sunday, Oct. 21––are expected to provide the biggest and best celebration yet, all leading up to the Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 27, when the FSU Seminoles take on Duke University’s Blue Devils starting at 8 p.m. in Doak Campbell Stadium.

The 2007 Homecoming Parade, set to begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, will follow a different route than in previous years, but does include the traditional procession down College Avenue. From its staging area at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, the parade will complete a nearly square course that will take it east on West Madison Street, north on Bronough Street, west on College Avenue, south on Copeland Street, then southeast onto St. Augustine for its return to the Civic Center. For a map of the 2007 Homecoming Parade route, go to <www.alumni.fsu.edu/homecoming/route2007.html>.

Homecoming 007: Garnet and Gold Encounters begins Sunday with a 5K run hosted by the FSUCares organization from the College of Medicine, followed by the traditional Warchant concert on FSU’s Langford Green and an “Ultimate Tailgate Competition.” The week’s line-up also includes Spear-It Night, the Big Fan on Campus Competition, Seminole Showdown on FSU’s Union Green, Skit Night and Renegade Recess, among other activities. Friday afternoon’s focus is the Homecoming Parade, and that evening PowWow will present top comedian Sarah Silverman. The FSU Student Government Association-sponsored events comprise a spirited lead-up to game day that also will include service to the Tallahassee community.

The following list includes Homecoming’s major events. For information and a schedule that includes all Student Government Association-sponsored Homecoming activities, visit <http://homecoming.fsu.edu>. Additional information also is available on the Alumni Association Web site at <www.alumni.fsu.edu/homecoming>, including the link to the parade map.

Homecoming Parade

• Friday, Oct. 26, beginning at 2 p.m. The parade will wind its way along the streets of FSU and downtown Tallahassee replete with an array of floats and participants from more than 100 campus organizations and many community groups. On hand as always will be Renegade, Osceola, FSU cheerleaders, the candidates for Chief and Princess and the Marching Chiefs. Jim Pitts, director of International Programs, is the 2007 Grand Marshal. This year’s faculty marshals are David Kirby, the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of English, and Lesley Sacher, director of Thagard Student Health Center.
  
  

Alumni Association’s Homecoming Awards Banquet

• Friday, Oct. 26, at the FSU Alumni Center on West Tennessee Street; reception begins at 6 p.m., the program at 7 p.m. The annual event will feature the announcement of the distinguished awards for exceptional achievement by alumni and staff that mark FSU’s Homecoming celebration each year. This year’s honorees will include Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society’s 2007 “Grads Made Good” –– Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (B.S., ‘78), William D. Clay, Jr. (B.A., ’71; M.S., ‘74), Marvalene Hughes (Ph.D., ‘69), and Mark H. Thiemens (Ph.D., ‘77); Garnet and Gold Key’s Ross Oglesby Award winner, who will be announced during the program; and the FSU Alumni Association’s Bernard F. Sliger Award winner, Seminole Boosters, Inc., President Andy Miller (B.S., ‘73). Cost is $60 per person; reservations are required. Contact Erin Cleghorn, (850) 645-2319 or <ecleghorn@alumni.fsu.edu>.
  
  

The Clock and Seal Leadership Banquet

• Friday, Oct. 26, at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. The annual homecoming dinner that celebrates leadership, devotion and service to FSU will feature Peter Boulware, former NFL football player and FSU alumnus, as the keynote speaker. Reservations are required, and tickets––$40 per person, $300 for a table for eight––should be purchased by Oct. 23. E-mail <clockandseal@burningspear.org> or call Mike Fischer at (850) 264-3878.
  
  

PowWow

• Friday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m. at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. Open to students, alumni, friends, fans and the community at large. FSU’s Student Government Association sponsors the annual evening of entertainment and laughter––which dates back to 1948––and this year’s headlining comedian is Sarah Silverman. NOTE: Performance may contain explicit language; discretion is advised. Advance tickets are available through Ticketmaster, (850) 322-3602, or the Civic Center Box Office, (850) 222-0400. Costs are $12 for FSU students with an FSUID or $20 for non-students, plus a service charge. For more information, visit <http://powwow.fsu.edu> or call (850) 644-9166.
  
  

FSU Panama City Campus 18th Annual ‘Nole Fest

• Friday, Oct. 26, 5-8 p.m. This homecoming tradition is geared to the entire family and includes games for kids plus food and live music. The Panama City campus event concludes with the lighting of the bonfire and kickoff of the annual Torch Run. ‘Nole Fest is free and open to the public. For more information, call (850) 770-2158 or email Russell Kinslow, alumni affairs coordinator for FSU’s Panama City campus, at <rdk05c@fsu.edu>.
  
  

Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society Homecoming Breakfast and Initiation

• Saturday, Oct. 27, 8-10 a.m., Suwannee Room, FSU campus. FSU’s Chapter of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society sponsors the annual event. Highlights will include speeches by ODK’s 2007 Grads Made Good, who were honored at the previous evening’s Homecoming Awards Banquet. Reservations are requested for the Oct. 27 breakfast, which costs $6 –– payable at the door –– and is open both to ODK members and non-members. To RSVP, or for additional information, contact Vanessa Solomon at (850) 645-5323 or <vsolomon@admin.fsu.edu>.
  
  

Homecoming game: FSU vs. Duke University

• Saturday, Oct. 27; kickoff at 8 p.m. The Florida State Seminoles will take on Duke University’s Blue Devils at Doak Campbell Stadium.