Homecoming a Two-Day Celebration Oct. 14 and 15

The University of Cincinnati is gearing up for a

brand new approach to Homecoming this weekend.

Themed “A Rivercity Homecoming: Bearcat Style,” the gathering will be split over two days, with the

parade and pep rally taking place uptown at UC Friday, Oct. 14

, and the football game versus the University of Louisville taking place downtown at Paul Brown Stadium at noon on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Relocating the game from Nippert Stadium to downtown’s Paul Brown Stadium gives fans nearly double the capacity for the marquee game against Big East rival Louisville, expanded lower-level and chairback seating, enhanced tailgating opportunities, spacious concourses as well as additional amenities and restrooms.

Free busing for UC students

To assist UC students who wish to attend the Bearcats’ game, Student Government has partnered with athletics to ensure safe, convenient and free transportation from the UC Alumni Association parking lot on campus to the student tailgate at the Longworth Hall parking lot near the stadium.

In carrying students to the event and back, the service will include eight 50-passenger buses that will run continuously from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Return trips will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or until all waiting students have been transported back to campus.

Registration for the free ride is taking place at the

Homecoming website

and will be open to the first 1,200 students who sign up. Students will check in before boarding and receive a wristband for their return trip. The first 700 registered students to board will also receive a free Homecoming T-shirt.

Friday Night Parade

Organizers planned the parade and pep rally Friday night to eliminate scheduling and logistical conflicts that would have occurred had they attempted to squeeze everything into a single day, particularly with the game being played off campus.

The annual Homecoming parade will feature student-built floats and area bands, all led by several basketball heroes from UC's past as the grand marshals. The players returning include Carl Bouldin, who played on UC's 1961 national championship team, as well as Fred Dierking, Tony Yates and Larry Shingleton, who each played on both the '61 squad and the '62 championship team. Also returning are Dave Tenwick and Rod Nall, who helped UC to its first NCAA Final Four in 1959. The

parade begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14,

at the corner of Calhoun and Clifton avenues, then proceeds north on Clifton to Martin Luther King Drive.

Street closures will begin at 6 p.m.

and include both Calhoun and Clifton. MLK will be restricted to one lane in each direction, while

parking will be unavailable on Calhoun after 4 p.m. and on Clifton and MLK  after 5 p.m.

Get more detailed street closure and parking details.

A free shuttle service will also be available to those making their way between the UC garages and the parade route.

Leading up to the parade Friday, UC employees are invited to a Pre-Parade Faculty/Staff Homecoming Party at the Catskeller in TUC, where they can get food items at a 15-percent discount from 5-7 p.m.

Pep Rally

Following the parade, the UC Alumni Association will host an

8 p.m. pep rally at Sigma Sigma Commons

featuring Cincinnati favorite foods like Skyline Chili & Graeter's (free to the first 500 fans). Revelers will join UC head football coach Butch Jones, the Bearcat Band, the UC Bearcat and cheerleaders. UC alumni can also visit the 1819 table to pickup their free UC license plate frame (limited to the first 250 alumni).

Free parking will be available in the lot adjacent to the alumni center on a first-come basis.

2011 Homecoming Main Events

Friday, Oct. 14

Smart Tailgating

11 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Recreation Center Plaza West

University Honors Cookout and Social

3-6 p.m., Schneider Quad

McMicken College of Arts & Sciences Beer Tasting

4-6 p.m., Max Kade Center

Pre-Parade Faculty/Staff Homecoming Party

5-7 p.m., Catskeller in TUC

African-American Alumni Happy Hour and Welcome Reception

6-9 p.m. Mick & Mack’s Café

Homecoming Parade Around Campus

7-8 p.m., Clifton Avenue (streets close at 6 p.m.)

Cincinnati Favorites Pep Rally

8-11 p.m., Sigma Sigma Commons

Saturday, Oct. 15

Fan Tailgating

9:30 a.m. outside Paul Brown Stadium

Student Tailgating

9:30 a.m. at Longworth Hall Parking Lot (700 Pete Rose Way)

UC vs. Louisville Foootball Game

Noon, Paul Brown Stadium

Homecoming King and Queen Crowning

Halftime of game, Paul Brown Stadium

Get all the Homecoming details and the full rundown of events, including the week-long build up of Student Alumni Council activities planned on campus at the

UC Alumni Association Homecoming website

.

Read more regarding navigating Paul Brown Stadium and purchasing tickets at

GoBearcats.com.

Watch videos of

UC Homecoming through the years.