It’s that time of year when the capital city radiates citrus orange and agricultural green. A time when the community unites once again to enjoy food, fellowship, fun and fashion.
Florida A&M University’s annual Homecoming has officially taken off. This year’s theme, “Eternal World Tour,” promises the “ultimate international homecoming experience,” complete with special guests serving as tour guides and several attractions designed to stamp your passport all right here in the capital city.
The festivities are already in full swing, things kicked off Sunday with the crowning of FAMU’s Homecoming King, Queen, and Royal Court at Mister and Miss FAMU Coronation and Coronation Ball. On Monday, guests enjoyed fare from food trucks and shopped with local vendors at Market Monday and attended “Screen on the Green” a movie night for the showing of supernatural, horror film “Stay.”
Let’s explore the rest of the week’s activities to enjoy with your friends and FAMUly. There’s plenty to do before the 4 p.m. Oct. 18 showdown with Alcorn State at Bragg Stadium.
Get a ‘Taste of a Rattler’
A customer picks up their bag of barbecue plates from the window at E&J 5 Buck BBQ on South Monroe Street Saturday, July 27, 2019.
Details: 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Paddyfoote Lawn (Althea Gibson Way)
Paddyfoote Lawn will be filled with food trucks and vendors with “Rattler-inspired flavors” for all. The annual homecoming event offers food and beverages from local trucks. In the past they’ve had island-inspired fare such as pineapple bowls and rasta pasta from Pineappetit.
Vibe at the Homecoming Concert
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 30: Latto performs onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776148207 ORIG FILE ID: 2160016717
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Al Lawson Center
This year’s lineup has music lovers buzzing, so much so that students were lining up at the ticket office to secure theirs the day they dropped. This year’s special guests includes:
Award winning rapper Latto (Alyssa Stephens) is based out of Atlanta. Her hit songs include “Big Energy” sampled from Tom Tom Club’s 1981 track, “Genius of Love.” This track is famously known for being sampled by Mariah Carey in her hit song “Fantasy.” Latto’s other hit songs include “Put it on Da Floor Again” featuring Cardi B and Seven made by Jung Kook.
Singer and songwriter Partynextdoor (Jahron Anthony Brathwaite) is based out of Mississauga, Canada. His hit song includes “Come and See Me” featuring Drake. This was his first song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart peaking at 55.
Rapper Bossman Dlow (Devante Milan McCreary) is based out of Port Salerno, Florida. His hit song includes his 2024 breakout single “Get in With Me.” His music initially gained popularity in Tallahassee before spreading to other parts of Florida.
Rapper Boosie (Torrence Hatch Jr.) is based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His hit songs include “Wipe Me Down,” featuring other artists Trill Family and Webbie. The song peaked at 38 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
Rapper and drill artist G Herbo (Herbert Randall Wright III) is based out of Chicago. His hit songs include “PTSD” from his 2020 album featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Chance the Rapper. This was his first hit song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Reunite with FAMU at FAMFEST
The crowd cheers during a live taping of ESPN’s “First Take” at Florida A&M University’s new Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater as part of the school’s homecoming festivities Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.
Details: 12 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater
FAMFEST is one big FAMUly reunion at the Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater. This festival is in the true spirit of homecoming with music, dancing, food and people stunting in their latest fashions. The Set is jumping with vendors selling all types of goods and offering promotions you can’t beat.
Party with T-Pain at the T-Pain Lane Block Party
T-Pain returned to his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida to perform at The Adderley Amphitheater as part of the Tallahassee bicentennial celebration on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024.
Details: 2 p.m. Friday, Oct 17 on T-Pain Lane; 8 p.m. at Tucker Civic Center
T-Pain is bringing his hometown moniker to life with his free block party  on T-Pain Lane — the street dedicated to his name and fame earlier this year. “We’re shutting the block down and hosting games, activities, karaoke, food, music and more to celebrate and give back to the community that helped me get to this 20-year milestone,” he announced in a Facebook post.
Tickets ranging from about $55 to $206 remain available through Ticketmaster for the TP20: Celebrating 20 Years of T-Pain concert at 8 p.m. at the Tucker Civic Center.
See who runs the yard at the National Pan-Hellenic Greek Step Show
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at Al Lawson Center
This event is one for all to witness as the The Divine 9 Greek organizations come together in a friendly competition. Each year one sorority and one fraternity is crowned as the winners determined by a special panel that deliberates on factors like best steps, storylines and overall production.
Tickets for this event start at $25 for general admission. For more info visit, ticketmaster.com.
Show off Rattler pride at the Homecoming Parade
Details: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Althea Gibson Way/ Wahnish Way
Get ready for the battle against Alcorn State University early with the annual Homecoming Parade which features organizations like the Marching 100, Strikers Dance Troupe, the Royal Court and more local groups. The parade is just another way to amp up the Rattler pride before bragging at the stadium.
Tailgate at the Strike Zone
Tailgaters fly a FAMU flag over their tent ahead of the Rattlers facing the Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.
Details: 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at Gibbs Lawn
Getting together is what homecoming is all about and the best way to get people together is football and food. The tailgates offer the perfect scene to get a little taste of both, ahead of the 4 p.m. game against Alcorn State. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a treat as the streets are filled with more music and food as the Rattlers prepare for the day’s battle. This is the place where you want to get all your dollars together, there’s lots of food to pick from and you’ll want some new paraphernalia for the trip back home after another win.
Sing your heart out at the Gospel Concert
Participants hold hands while singing together at FAMU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation in the Lee Hall Auditorium on campus Friday, January 17, 2024.
Details: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Lee Hall Auditorium (Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard)
End the celebratory week with the faith-filled gospel concert which will feature special guest Chandler Moore formerly with popular contemporary Christian group Maverick City Music. Moore, hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, has solo singles like “Lead Me On.”
Kyla A. Sanford covers dining and entertainment. She can be reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 8 ways to get in on the Florida A&M Homecoming fun