Tennessee Tech is going wild for Homecoming this year — “Wild West,” that is.

That’s the theme of Homecoming 2005, and the highlight of this year’s planned activities will be the Honky-Tonk Tailgate Party concert at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, in Eblen Center.

Featuring chart-topping country music artists Daryle Singletary, Chad Brock, Jeff Carson and Rhett Akins, the concert is sponsored in part by 94.7 The Country Giant and IWC Cash and Carry. Proceeds will benefit Athletics.

“The good times aren’t just reserved for TTU students and alumni, though,” says Alumni Relations Director Tracey Duncan. "Faculty, staff, community members and their families are welcome to join in the activities, too."

Tickets for the concert range from $25 on the floor to $15 in “bowl” reserved seating, and $10 for top-level seating. They are available online from ttusports.com or by calling the ticket office at 3941.

The Homecoming parade at 10:30 Saturday morning starts at the end of South Dixie Avenue and will lead the crowd to the Regions Bank Tailgate Park between the stadium and Eblen Center next to the tennis courts.

The “Tent City” there will be filled with a picnic area and participating academic departments and campus organizations, plus kids’ activities. Cost – which includes lunch and a football ticket — is payable onsite and is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-12, and free for children age 2 and under.

Kickoff for our Homecoming football game against Samford University is at 1:30 p.m.

Jumpstarting Homecoming Day at 9:30 a.m. is the alumni hospitality breakfast, which will be served free to TTU alumni in the Multipurpose Room lobby.

Several events are set for Friday, Nov. 4, including the Alumni Awards Reception and Ceremony at 4 p.m. in the Tech Pride Room and a pep rally in Memorial Gym, also at 4 p.m.

The Athletic Reunion and Hall of Fame Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m., Friday, in the Multipurpose Room. Tickets for the event — which is open to faculty, staff, fans, alumni and former coaches — are $20 each, and reservations can be made by calling 3940.

For listings of Homecoming 2005 events and activities, visit the Alumni Relations web site at www.tntech.edu/alumni/homecoming05sched.html and www.tntech.edu/studentactivities/homecoming.html.