Contact: Kay Fike Jones
What do dinosaurs, Bob Dylan and Elvis have in common?
Well, other than being really "hot" these days, they--or a likeness--will be on campus during Mississippi State University's week-long Homecoming celebration, Oct. 19-26.
Lifelike dinosaurs make their appearance Oct. 21 when the hit movie "Jurassic Park" is aired on the giant-screen Jumbotron at Scott Field. Gates open for the free viewing at 7:30 p.m., with the feature scheduled for 8-10 p.m.
Legendary singer Bob Dylan begins his 1997 American tour Oct. 24 with a Humphrey Coliseum concert. Reserve-seat tickets for the 8 p.m. event are $20 and $25, and may be purchased at locations throughout Northeast Mississippi or by telephone at (601) 841-6528.
Finally, Elvis--actually an impersonator--will gyrate on stage during the College of Arts and Sciences' "Tradition with Vision Homecoming Extravaganza" Oct. 25 in the Amphitheater. Portraying the King is state Sen. Tim Johnson of Madison, a Mississippi State alumnus.
The Arts and Sciences extravaganza begins at 10 a.m. and includes tunes from the '60s performed by "Rock-n-Roll Reunion" of Starkville, Mother Goose stories and face painting for the children and, of course, "Elvis." There'll be plenty of food available, along with Miss Mississippi, the Homecoming court and Mr. and Miss MSU. Activities end at 1 p.m.
Other highlights for the week include:
Oct. 19--Non-denominational church service, Amphitheater, 5-5:45 p.m. Rain moves the program to Lee Hall.
Oct. 23--Opening reception for "The Tempe Suite: A Portfolio of Contemporary Prints by U.S. Master Printmasters," sponsored by the art department, McComas Hall gallery, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 24--Dunking booth with faculty and staff volunteer "targets," Drill Field, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Air Bully hot-air balloon, Drill Field, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Punt and Pass Contest, Drill Field, 9 a.m.-noon; former Republican National Committee chairman Haley Barbour will speak at 2 p.m. in 301 Colvard Union; retrospective marking the 50th anniversary of the department of sociology, anthropology and social work, 126 Bowen, 1:30 p.m.; pep rally, Drill Field, 4 p.m.
Oct. 25--Four-mile "Run/Walk with the Big Dogs" begins with registration (students, $5, non-students, $10) at 7 a.m. The race starts at 8 a.m. at the Plant Science Research Center, north of campus off of state Highway 82 (601-320-4702); Black Alumni Society keynote address, Melvin Ray, acting vice president for research at MSU, Colvard Union small auditorium, 9 a.m.; Army ROTC Open House, Middleton Hall, 9-11 a.m.; children's pre-game festivities (face painting, balloons and games), grounds between the Butler-Williams Alumni Center and Scott Field, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., "Snapshots with Bully," 10:30-11:30 a.m.; tours of Mitchell Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m.-noon, plus a display of pine needle woven crafts by West Point's Bessie Johnson on the second floor of the library, Oct. 24-30; football game between Mississippi State and Central Florida, Scott Field, 1:30 p.m., with halftime coronation.
Oct. 26--Black Alumni Society religious service, Chapel of Memories, 10 a.m.
For more information, contact the Alumni Association at (601) 325-2434 or 325-2284.