With more than $150,000 to spend on promoting school spirit and “Owl Pride,” the 2007 Homecoming Committee set out with one plan – to make this year’s Renaissance-themed Homecoming bigger and better with more events, more food and no dance. That’s right. This year FAU is ending the weeklong celebration with a brunch instead of a dance, since last year only 250 students showed up.

“We wanted to try something new and see how an end-of-the-week celebration would work,” Homecoming Committee Adviser Michelle Perkins says. “If it doesn’t get a good reception, we’ll switch back next year.”

For students who still want a Homecoming dance, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity is hosting its own semiformal dance on Sunday, Oct. 28.

“We didn’t really fight for the dance because we knew the fraternity was doing it,” Homecoming Director Rochelle Spencer says. “The brunch should also be something different and fun.”

Another change this year is the addition of a Boca campus parade. The parade, which begins Friday at 5 p.m. in front of the gym, will include floats and decorated cars from student clubs. Directly following the parade will be the Fall Family Fest and a bonfire on the Housing Lawn.

Homecoming Marketing Director Mariana Raya says the week’s crowd favorite is always the comedy show. The committee spent $80,000 to get comedians Charlie Murphy, Gary Owen and host Teddy Carpenter to FAU.

“We’ve got three great people this year,” Raya says. “The auditorium fits 2,400 people and we expect it to be sold out.”

The show is on Thursday at the Boca campus Carole & Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free for FAU students with ID and $12 for the general public. Raya urges students to come early.

Why all the hoopla this week? The celebration of Homecoming dates back to the 1900s when a university in Missouri wanted to get the school’s alumni to return to watch an important football game. So, it’s no surprise that the featured event of the week is Saturday’s football game against Louisiana-Monroe at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. That game starts at 4 p.m. with the tailgate party beginning at 1 p.m.

For daily coverage and videos of Homecoming week events visit upressonline.com.

Homecoming Week Events: October 21 – 28

Sunday, Oct. 21

Boca Campus Fun RunSponsored by Campus Recreation, this run isn’t your average walk in the park. Come dressed in your best early Halloween attire and enjoy a jog in costume. When: Registration begins at 2:30 p.m.: race starts at 3 p.m.Where: Race begins on the Housing Lawn

Window Painting Bring your student club and come decorate the windows. The best club’s window will receive points towards the Homecoming club competition. When: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also on Monday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Where: Boca campus Student Union & Housing Lawn

Monday, Oct. 22

Homecoming KickoffJoin Campus Recreation for a field day of fun and games. Come pick up your free foam hand and mini football and get ready for Saturday’s game. Free food and drinks will be catered by Chartwells. When: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.Where: Boca Housing Lawn

Davie Spirit Day Join in decorating the campus and show your Owl pride. Enjoy free food and Owl gear giveaways. When: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.Where: Davie campus

Clock Dedication Time to drop the fences and reveal FAU’s new Traditions Plaza.When: 6 p.m.Where: In front of the Boca campus Bookstore

Tuesday, Oct. 23

Downtown Spirit Day Join in decorating the campus and show your Owl pride. Enjoy free food and Owl gear giveaways. When: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.Where: Fort Lauderdale campus

Timucua PageantWatch your fellow students strut their stuff down the runway in their best casual, social and sleepwear.When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Boca campus Housing Lawn

Wednesday, Oct. 24

Dania Beach Spirit Day Join in decorating the campus and show your Owl pride. Enjoy free food and Owl gear giveaways. When: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.Where: SeaTech campus

Talon Leadership Awards Ceremony & Reception Hosted by Alumni Affairs, the Talon Awards honor one outstanding student, alumni and faculty member making a difference in the community. Originally nominated by a faculty member or peer, the winners will be selected by a panel of judges including four impartial students (one from each regional campus), three alumni, one faculty and one staff member.When: 5:30 p.m.Where: Boca Live Oak Pavilion

Thursday, Oct. 25

Comedy Show Join comedians Charlie Murphy, Gary Owen and host Teddy Carpenter and get ready to laugh. Admission is free to FAU students with ID and tickets are $12 for general public. Tickets are on sale at www.fauevents.com.When: Doors open at 7 p.m.; showtime is 8 p.m.Where: Boca campus Carole & Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium

Float BuildingGet ready for Friday’s parade and decorate your float or car. When: All dayWhere: Boca campus Lot 10

Friday, Oct. 26

Boca Parade Watch the student-decorated floats roll around campus. The parade will be hosted and aired live by Marianna and Jason from the Wild 95.5 Wild Morning Show. When: 5 p.m.Where: Parade starts at the gym and travel all through campus Fall Family Fest Celebrate Homecoming the medieval way. Check out carnival games, hands-on crafts and tons of free food. The medieval-themed fair is for the whole family, so be sure to invite your parents.When: 6 p.m.Where: Boca campus Housing Lawn

Bonfire Show some school spirit and get ready for Saturday’s football game.When: Around 8 p.m. after the sun goes downWhere: Boca campus Housing Lawn

Saturday, Oct. 27

Homecoming Tailgate Tailgate in style with free food catered by the Boca Ale House. Water and soda will be served – so bring your own beer (if you’re 21).When: 1 p.m. Where: Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale

Game Time: Owls vs. Louisiana-MonroeThe Homecoming King & Queen will be announced at halftime as well as the winners from the week’s club competition.When: 4 p.m.Where: Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale

Sunday, Oct. 28

Homecoming Brunch Celebration Enjoy buffet-style breakfast food served up by a professional chef. You’ll be eating off china dishes, so dress to impress.When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Boca campus Grand Palm RoomFormal DancePhi Beta Sigma is hosting a semi-formal Homecoming dance. Come enjoy free music and food sponsored by the fraternity.When: 7 p.m. to midnightWhere: Boca Student Union Majestic Palm Room

SoccerCome watch FAU’s women’s team beat Arkansas Little Rock.When: 2 p.m.Where: Boca campus field