Western Kentucky University will be spicing up the Hilltopper Spirit with some Cajun seasoning and a little Mardi Gras during Homecoming 2011 activities Oct. 18-23.

“Geaux Toppers!” was chosen as the theme for the week’s activities since Louisiana-Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns will visit WKU for the Homecoming football game Oct. 22 at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

“We are incorporating the very best of Louisiana into this year’s Homecoming festivities,” said Ginny Hensley, director of Alumni Programming and chair of the Homecoming Committee. “In addition to several Nawlins’ themed events, we are encouraging tailgaters with a gift of great Cajun cooking to participate in the Homecoming Cajun Cook-off during Saturday’s Festival of Friends tailgating.”

More than 20,000 alumni and fans will return to Bowling Green for activities on campus and in the community. “There’s no better time than Homecoming to return to WKU,” Hensley said. “Regardless of when you spent your time on campus or where you call home today, Homecoming has something special for every member of the WKU family.”

Homecoming activities will include pep rallies in Glasgow and Bowling Green, concerts, a parade, award presentations, hall of fame inductions, numerous reunions, a quilt show celebrating Family and Consumer Sciences’ 100th anniversary and the crowning of 2011 Homecoming queen.

Luke Bryan, one of the year’s hottest country singers, will headline the Homecoming concert on Oct. 20. The CMT on Tour’s Luke Bryan: Tailgates & Tanlines 2011 show will begin at 7 p.m. at Diddle Arena and will include opening acts Lee Brice, Josh Thompson and CMT’s Next Superstar winner Matt Mason. The concert will begin at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.

Again this year, the Citizens First Homecoming Parade will begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 21 on the WKU Campus near Parking Structure 1 and make its way over the Hill to Fountain Square Park in downtown Bowling Green. The parade will feature more than 20 floats from student groups, plus more community entries than previous years. 

“Our student body works countless hours during Homecoming week perfecting their float for us to enjoy and for bragging rights,” Hensley said. “The parade is a great way to see WKU students in action.”

The Ernie Small Blues Band will perform at Fountain Square Park at 5 p.m. followed by Big Red’s Roar, the annual Homecoming student pep rally, at 6:30 p.m. 

Many downtown businesses will provide a WKU Homecoming discount during the festivities and will participate in the Homecoming Store Front Window contest.

The Hall of Distinguished Alumni and the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame will induct their newest members. Members of the 20th class of HODA – Jerry Baker, Vicki Phillips and Norro Wilson — will be inducted at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 21 at the Sloan Convention Center. Members of the 21st class of the Athletic Hall of Fame — Forest “Frosty” Able, Kannard Johnson, Mike Murray and Jack Turner — will be inducted at 10 a.m. Oct. 22 at Diddle Arena.

The complete Homecoming schedule, including a section on Cajun recipes, is available online at http://alumni.wku.edu/homecoming, but here are some of the week’s highlights:

Tuesday, Oct. 18

• Glasgow Chili and Cheese Luncheon & Pep Rally, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BB&T in downtown Glasgow. Sponsored by the WKU Glasgow Campus, Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky and the Barren County Alumni Chapter.
• Homecoming Week Restaurant Partner: Mariah’s, 801 State St. Place your receipt in a basket and 10 percent of your meal cost will support the WKU Alumni Association.

Wednesday, Oct. 19

• Homecoming Week Restaurant Partner: Chick-Fil-A, 1766 Campbell Lane. Mention Homecoming 2011 and 10 percent of sales will support the WKU Alumni Association.

Thursday, Oct. 20

• Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1106 State St., Bowling Green. Sponsored by Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky and the Warren County Alumni Chapter.
• Homecoming Week Restaurant Partner: 440 Main, 440 E. Main St. Place your receipt in a basket and 10 percent of your meal cost will support the WKU Alumni Association.
• 2011 Summit Awards, 6 p.m. at Carroll Knicely Conference Center. WKU honors its outstanding volunteers at this recognition and awards ceremony.
• CMT on Tour’s Luke Bryan: Tailgates & Tanlines 2011 concert, 7 p.m. at Diddle Arena; doors open at 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 21

• Preserving the Past. Sustaining the Future. Juried Quilt Show Celebrating Family and Consumer Sciences 100th Anniversary, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kentucky Museum. Quilt show continues through Dec. 10. Sponsored by Family and Consumer Sciences Alumni Association.
• Homecoming Week Restaurant Partner: Vino’s, 1475 Kentucky St. Place your receipt in a basket and 10 percent of your meal cost will support the WKU Alumni Association.
• Hall of Distinguished Alumni Luncheon & Induction Ceremony, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sloan Convention Center. The 2011 inductees are Jerry Baker, Vicki Phillips and Norris “Norro” Wilson.
• Homecoming Parade, 5 p.m. from College Heights Boulevard to downtown Bowling Green. Sponsored by Citizens First Bank and hosted by the Warren County Alumni Chapter.
• Concert in the Park, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Fountain Square Park in downtown Bowling Green. Music by Ernie Small Blues Band.
• Big Red’s Roar, 6:30 p.m. at Fountain Square Park in downtown Bowling Green.
• Society of African American Alumni Memorial Service,  8 p.m. at Chandler Memorial Chapel.

Saturday, Oct. 22

• Numerous reunions of student organizations, Greek groups, athletic teams, academic programs and more.
• Alumni W-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 10 a.m. to noon at E.A. Diddle Arena. The 2011 inductees are Forest “Frosty” Able, Kannard Johnson, Mike Murray and Jack Turner.
• Men’s Basketball Open Practice and Tour of Refurbished E.A. Diddle Arena, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena.
• Festival of Friends/Tailgating Cajun Style, noon to 3 p.m. at various campus locations. Includes Cajun Cook-Off at 1 p.m.
• Hilltoppers vs. University of Louisiana Lafayette, 3 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
• 2011 Homecoming Step Show, 7 p.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena. Sponsored by The WKU National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Sunday, Oct. 23

• 15th Annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing, 2 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center. Featuring poet Frederick Smock. A reception and book signing will follow. Sponsored by The Creative Writing Committee of the English Department.