Homecoming Week 2011 is in full tilt at Grand Valley State University, with most of the major highlights to come this Halloween weekend with the theme “GVSU, you put a spell on me…”

Kim Schmidt from Alumni Relations headed up the organization of this year’s homecoming events, which include Saturday’s football tailgate. Schmidt said historically, between 800 and 900 GVSU alumni, students, faculty and staff typically attend, with weather one of the main factors for turnout.

“If it is nice, like they are saying now, then I would expect high numbers,” Schmidt said.

She said homecoming takes anywhere from six to eight months to plan between promoting the event across campus departments, Student Life Organizations and securing the physical space for the tailgate, which Schmidt said is the most important detail. After that, time is spent working out the logistics with key players on campus.

“It is a busy day for everyone on campus we start the day early with things going on all over the place, … fun things taking place on campus for everyone,” Schmidt said. “It takes a lot of time to plan, but it is worth it.”

Schmidt said the actual cost for homecoming varies from year to year. Since there are so many “moving parts” and different factors, such as the number of people who eat at Saturday’s events, there are no certain figures available off hand.

She added that there are charges on some events to help subsidize the costs.

For more information about Homecoming 2011, visit www.gvsu.edu/homecoming or www.gvsu.edu/studentlife/homecoming.

[email protected]