LaGRANGE — LaGrange College is gearing up for this year’s homecoming with activities Oct. 9–11.

Highlighting Oct. 9 night’s Panther Palooza V is concert featuring the U.S. Stones, considered one of the top Rolling Stones tribute bands in the country.

“In fact, this year’s homecoming theme, ‘Paint It Red and Black,’ is a nod to the Rolling Stones song ‘Paint It Black,’” said Martha Pirkle, director of alumni and community relations.

The success of last year’s concert featuring a Beatles tribute band set the stage for a bigger experience for Panther Palooza V, she noted.

“We had almost 1,000 people join us on the square for that show, so we decided to build on it,” Pirkle said. “This year is going to be even bigger.”

Bull Street will be blocked off for the concert, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Some tables and chairs will be available in front of the stage. Local restaurants Mare Sole, Splendid Events, Idle Hour Pub and Bull’s Hibachi Express are expected to have food and drink available for purchase.

Also new this year is a true concert stage and professional lighting, said David Beard, director of digital media at the college, who has helped organize the show.

“We’re hoping it will feel like a real rock ‘n’ roll concert,” he said. “This band is amazing, and the show will be suitable for all ages.”

Sponsored by the Alumni Association and Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, Panther Palooza begins at 6 p.m. and will feature family activities. College mascot Pouncer will visit between 6:45 and 7:15 p.m. and will pose for photos with his fans.

Alumni registration is 6 to 8 p.m. on Lafayette Square. Each person registering will receive a complimentary coupon for a Panther Palooza airbrush tattoo, as well as two coupons for one slice of Mighty Joe’s pizza and one scoop of ice cream or a cupcake from Cakes by Debbie. The coupons will be redeemable 6 to 8 p.m.

Homecoming activities begin Oct. 9 as the Suber Archives on the first floor of Lewis Library hosts an open house 9 a.m. to noon. Guests will be able to reminisce with items from student scrapbooks to copies of the Quadrangle, the college’s yearbook.

“We also hope alumni will come in and try to help us identify some of their classmates in old photos,” said Pat Barrett, library archivist. “If anyone has college memorabilia they’d like to donate to the Suber Archives, we would love to add it to our collection.”

The annual Shackelford Alumni Achievement Award Forum will begin 11:15 a.m. Oct. 9 in the Corn Auditorium at Lewis Library. This year’s honorees are Dr. Cindy Halstead Bowen, F.J. “Josh” Fenn, Dr. Henry Emil Vucetic and Dr. Zachary Taylor III. This year’s winner of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, Grant Edward Miller, also will join the panel discussion.

The 32nd annual Tom Duckett Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Panther Club, returns to Highland Country Club. An award ceremony and dinner will follow the tournament. There are still a few slots available, and anyone seeking more information may contact Willie Maddox at wmaddox@lagrange.edu or 706-880-8773.

At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9, LaGrange College Theatre presents the musical “Chicago.” Tickets are on sale now and can be reserved by calling 706-880-8080 or emailing priceboxoffice@lagrange.edu.

The annual 5K Fun Run and 1-mile walk gets things going Oct. 10. Registration is 7 a.m. in front of Callaway Education Building. The run and walk begins at 8 a.m., sponsored by the exercise science majors. The event benefits the Boys and Girls Club of LaGrange.

The 2015 Alumni Recognition Breakfast is 8:30 a.m. in the Dickson Assembly Room of Turner Hall. It will feature the awarding of Honorary Alumni Awards to Dr. William Fackler, Susan Hancock, Fred Hoppe and Dr. Sandra Johnson. The Sports Hall of Fame will also induct 2015 honorees Michael J. Lemmo and Charles “Bo” Bray.

The men’s alumni basketball game and tailgate, sponsored by the Panther Club, will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Mariotti Gym. Later in the day, the Panthers will take on Greensboro College at 2 p.m. in Callaway Stadium.

Reunion and tailgate activities will occupy parking lots around Callaway Auditorium beginning at 10 a.m. New this year is a celebration of love at LaGrange College. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Suber Archives tent will give alumni an opportunity to share romantic memories the traditional way, by engraving initials on a pane of glass. Alumni are invited to renew their marriage vows at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel. Dress is casual.

The chapel, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the Lamar Dodd Art Center will hold open houses 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The traditional Sunday Community Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Oct. 11 in the chapel.

Homecoming activities will conclude with the Oct. 11 brunch buffet 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pitts Dining Hall.

Anyone seeking a full schedule or more information about homecoming activities may visit http://www.lagrange.edu/alumni/homecoming/index.html