Homecoming Weekend is traditionally known for welcoming alumni "home" to Cornell. But everyone -- including students, faculty and staff members and their families as well as area residents -- is encouraged to attend many of the events featured at this year's Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 21-23.

A free fireworks and laser light show at Schoellkopf Field will kick off Homecoming Weekend Friday evening, Sept. 21. A pre-fireworks show will begin promptly at 8 p.m., featuring Cornell athletes, student performance groups, the Big Red Marching Band performing with the Little Red Marching Band of Ithaca High School, and special guest Mayor Svante Myrick '09.

Festivities Sept. 22 begin at 10 a.m. with the Big Red Fan Festival. The festival will include a Tailgate Zone (in the Crescent Lot) with live music from the Sim Redmond Band, free Ferris wheel rides, and beer, wine and tailgate food available for purchase. The Family Fun Zone (in the Lynah Rink parking lot) will offer free rides, games and such children's activities as face painting, jugglers and balloon animals.

The football game between Cornell and Yale will start at 1 p.m., and a post-game celebration in the Crescent Lot will feature live music from The Destination.

On Friday and Saturday, the student group for the United Way will collect canned goods for its Stuff the Bus campaign. Everyone is encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to the events.

A variety of additional activities Sept. 22 include the Big Red Band's Facility Groundbreaking at 10:30 a.m. in the Crescent Lot; "Cornell in the Movies! 1912-1920," 11-11:30 a.m., Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, presented by the Ithaca Motion Picture Project; and the Glee Club Homecoming Concert, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m., Bailey Hall. More details are online, and registration is not required for those who are not alumni.

Loreal Maguire works in the undergraduate affinity programs office in the Division of Alumni Affairs and Development.