The University of West Alabama has announced the schedule for its annual Homecoming celebration “Sweet Home West Alabama,” set for Oct. 17-20 in Livingston.

Homecoming activities begin Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the annual Serendipity talent show. Students will compete for prize money and bragging rights in four categories, and this year’s Homecoming Queen, a closely guarded secret, will also be announced at the show. Serendipity begins at 7 p.m. in Pruitt Gym. Admission is free.

On Thursday, Oct. 18, Coach Will Hall, the Tiger football team, the Scarlet Band from Tiger Land, UWA cheerleaders and LUie will be on hand for the Homecoming bonfire and fireworks show at 8 p.m. at the Intramural Complex. Following the bonfire, the Office of Student Affairs will host a party featuring the popular band The 17th Floor.

UWA’s fourth annual Homecoming Golf Tournament, sponsored by Marengo and Sumter County alumni chapters, is set for Friday, Oct. 19. Registration for the two-person scramble will be held at 9 a.m. with a 10 a.m. tee time at the Livingston Country Club. The 18-hole tournament features great prizes, with registration set at $60 per person. All proceeds benefit the Marengo and Sumter County Scholarship funds. For more information, call 205-652-3533.

The annual UWA alumni party, sponsored by the National Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations, is one of the most anticipated events of the year. The party begins Friday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Spence-Moon House adjacent to the UWA campus. Always a great time for friends, food and fun, this year’s party will feature entertainment by C+. Current NAA members are admitted free of charge, and a $25 donation includes a one-year membership in the NAA.

During the alumni party, the UWA Campus School will host Parents’ Night Out for children age three and older from 6-10 p.m. The cost for a family is $25 for one child, and $15 per additional child, which includes pizza and drinks. Children must be potty trained to attend. To register, contact at 205-652-3832.

On Saturday, Oct. 20, Homecoming festivities continue at 8 a.m. with a Classic Car Show at the Courthouse Square. At 8:30 a.m., the 5K Road Race and R.T. Floyd Fun Run begin in downtown Livingston—registration at 7:30 a.m. The Alumni Reception begins at 9 a.m. at the Bored Well on the courthouse square.

The Homecoming parade winds through downtown Livingston at 10 a.m., featuring 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Brett Gilliland and Janet Montgomery, the Homecoming court, marching bands, and a variety of floats from campus organizations.

The College of Business will host alumni and friends for a catfish lunch in Wallace Hall’s Wise Conference Room at 11:15 a.m. Alumni interested in attending should email Maxine McClusky at mfm@uwa.edu.

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will also host its lunch at 11:15 a.m. in Bibb Graves Hall. Alumni may email Micky Smith at msmith@uwa.edu for more information on the luncheon.

The Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education, the Division of Online Programs, and the School of Graduate Studies will unite for a brunch at the Spence-Moon House at 11:15 a.m. Those interested in attending should email Mary Grace Edmunds mgedmonds@uwa.edu for more information.

Beginning at 11:15 a.m., the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing will host alumni in Brock Y Hall for a reception. For more details on the reception, alumni should email Marsha Cannon at mac@uwa.edu.

Everyone is then invited to the annual National Alumni Association meeting and alumni awards ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Bell Conference Center. Each college will honor outstanding graduates with Alumni Achievement and Emerging Leader Awards, and former Tiger greats will be inducted into the UWA Athletic Hall of Fame, while the NAA presents other prestigious awards.

The family-friendly Homecoming Festival and Tailgate Party begins at 1:00 p.m. on Tiger Hill in front of the campus school, with inflatable moonwalks and games led by UWA student-athletes. Other highlights include face painting and other prizes. All activities are free.

The UWA Tigers make their grand appearance at the Tiger Walk at 1:15 p.m. near the Young Hall Cafeteria on Tiger Drive. The pep rally begins at 2:30 p.m. in front of Tiger Stadium that will feature the Scarlet Band from Tiger Land, UWA cheerleaders and LUie. Tailgating prior to the pep rally will include friends, food vendors and lots of Tiger spirit.

West Alabama and Shorter College kick off at 3:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. Pre-game festivities feature the Scarlet Band from Tiger Land show and the newest Athletic Hall of Famers serving as honorary team captains. In addition, the homecoming court will be presented at halftime, and the new queen will be crowned.

College of Liberal Arts alumni and faculty will gather for a post-game party at the Spence-Moon House. For more information, email Dr. Tim Edwards at tedwards@uwa.edu.

The UWA Bookstore, the best place to shop for Red and White gear, will open Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the Student Union Building. All UWA sportswear will be 15 percent off, and young Tiger fans will receive free candy and balloons.

For more information about UWA’s 2012 homecoming events, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 205-652-3852.