Western Kentucky University will “Roll Out the Red” to welcome alumni and friends for Homecoming 2009 festivities starting Monday.

Homecoming week activities include reunions, pep rallies, a concert, award presentations, parade and a WKU football game.

Day 26, an R&B/hip hop group formed on MTV’s “Making the Band 4,” and singer/songwriter Keri Hilson will headline the Homecoming concert Nov. 5 at E.A. Diddle Arena. Local group Noize Joi also will perform. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 for WKU students and $35 for non-students. Tickets at the door will be $35.

The Hall of Distinguished Alumni and the Athletic Hall of Fame will induct their newest members during Homecoming week. On Nov. 6, former Hilltopper player/NFL head coach Romeo Crennel, World War II hero/pediatrician Daniel McIlvoy and banker/philanthropist Leon Page will join the Hall of Distinguished Alumni as the 18th class inducted. On Nov. 7, former track/cross country star Chris Ridler and football quarterback Willie Taggart will be inducted as the 19th class into the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame.

The annual Homecoming parade, the Big Red Street Fest and Big Red’s Roar on Nov. 6 will kick off the weekend activities on the Hill.

WKU Homecoming highlights

Monday

• Homecoming Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center Ballroom. The blood drive, sponsored by WKU’s Agriculture Department, continues 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 3 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 4.

Tuesday

• Glasgow Homecoming Celebration, 6 p.m. at WKU-Glasgow Campus.

Nov. 5

• Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church, downtown Bowling Green.

• Summit Awards to honor outstanding volunteers, 6 p.m. at Carroll Knicely Conference Center, WKU South Campus.

• Homecoming concert featuring Day 26 (www.day26online.com), Keri Hilson (www.kerihilson.com/) and Noize Joe, 7:30 p.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Nov. 6

• Hall of Distinguished Alumni Luncheon and Induction Ceremony, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sloan Convention Center.

• Homecoming Parade, 5 p.m. along College Heights Boulevard and Avenue of Champions.

• Big Red Street Fest, 6 p.m. at football practice field.

• Big Red’s Roar, 7 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

• Society of African-American Alumni Homecoming Kickoff Party and Memorial Service, 8 p.m. at Par Makers Clubhouse.

Nov. 7 – Homecoming Day

• Numerous reunions for campus groups, academic programs and student organizations.

• Alumni W-Club Athletic Hall of Fame and Brunch, 10 a.m. at Diddle Arena.

• Festival of Friends, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at various locations.

• WKU football vs. Troy, 4 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Homecoming queen will be crowned at halftime.

• Annual NPHC Homecoming Step Show, 8 p.m. at Diddle Arena.

Nov. 8

• 13th annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing, 2 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center Auditorium.

• Lady Topper basketball exhibition vs. Brescia, 2 p.m. at Diddle Arena.

— The complete “Roll Out the Red” schedule is available online at http://alumni.wku.edu.