Columbus State University’s Homecoming Week 2016 officially began Nov. 7, with a full slate of activities that will appeal to alumni, students, families and community members alike.

“I hope community members as well as area alumni come out to support CSU and their alma mater this weekend,” said Jennifer Joyner, assistant vice president for alumni engagement and special events. “We have created events that are fun, family-friendly and mostly free to encourage our 15,000+ alumni that live in the area to get engaged with the university. It's a great time to be a Columbus State Cougar!”

CSU will again celebrate through the streets of downtown, from Broadway to Woodruff Park, during the annual CSU Homecoming Parade Friday, Nov. 11 beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Following the parade, the public is invited to keep the party going during “Evening on the River,” featuring live music from Party Nation Band, Atlanta’s favorite party band, 7-10 p.m. in CSU’s Woodruff Park. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink, although food and beverages also will be sold at the event. “Evening on the River” will conclude with a fireworks show over the Chattahoochee River at 9 p.m.

New this year, CSU will host a family-friendly tailgate before the men’s and women’s basketball games on Saturday, Nov. 12. Fans are welcome to bring their own food and drink. Adults will have the option of attending Cougarfest, an Oktoberfest-like beer festival coordinated with the help of Columbus’ Maltitude craft beer bottle shop. Cougarfest tickets are $10 each for four beer samples plus German food samples. Attendees must be 21 years or older. The festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. on the Lumpkin Center lawn on CSU’s main campus. The women’s basketball team plays Agnes Scott at 2 p.m.; the men play Fort Benning at 4:30 p.m. Admission to both games is free and open to the public.

“This year’s Homecoming is going to be one to remember,” said Cylina Velazquez, senior marketing major at CSU and student co-director of the Homecoming Committee. “We are bringing back old traditions, such as Paint the Town and the Paws Up Talent Show, while creating new ones, like our #ThrowbackThursday Dance Party. This will be my last year attending Homecoming before I graduate, so I definitely want it to be the best one, yet. Everyone, come on out and show your school pride!”

On Friday, Nov. 11, CSU will honor the following alumni during an awards program and luncheon to be held at CSU’s Cunningham Center beginning at noon:

P. Timothy Money (B.B.A. ‘86), 2016 Alumni Service Award

Molli M. Newman (B.S. ‘05), 2016 Young Alumna Award

C. Bernard McCrary (B.B.A. ‘05 & M.P.A. ‘09), 2016 Young Alumnus Award

Bruce E. Baldwin (B.S. ‘79), 2016 Excellence in Alumni Achievement

Denise A. Yardley (B.S. ‘83), 2016 Excellence in Alumni Achievement

Raymond V. Herras (B.S. ‘00), 2016 Distinguished Alumnus in Military Service

Yuliya A. Komarova (B.B.A. ‘01 & M.B.A. ‘03), 2016 International Education Alumni Award

The full CSU Homecoming 2016 schedule includes:

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Field Day: You Got Game?, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., clock tower on main campus
Rock the Vote House Party, 8 p.m., Student Recreation Center

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Find the Cougar Scavenger Hunt, noon, clock tower on main campus
Senior Toast, 1 p.m., clock tower on main campus
Cougar Madness, 7-9 p.m., Lumpkin Center

Thursday, Nov. 10

Block Party, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., clock tower on main campus
#Throwback Thursday Dance Party, 7-9 p.m., Student Recreation Center

Friday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day Picnic, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., clock tower on main campus
Alumni Recognition Awards Program and Lunch, noon, Cunningham Center
CSU Homecoming Parade, 6:30 p.m., downtown
Evening on the River, 7-10 p.m., Woodruff Park
CSU Alumni Association Fireworks Show, 9 p.m., downtown

Saturday, Nov. 12

Parent and Family Day, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., main campus
Tailgating, 12:30-4 p.m., Lumpkin Center lawn
Cougarfest, 12:30-4 p.m., Lumpkin Center lawn
Women’s Basketball, CSU vs. Agnes Scott, 2 p.m., Lumpkin Center
Men’s Basketball, CSU vs. Ft. Benning, 4:30 p.m., Lumpkin Center