Pitt Homecoming 2003 Lights Up Sky with Fireworks and Lasers During Festivities Oct. 24-26

PITTSBURGH—An evening fireworks and laser show and an Extravaganza top off opening day at the University of Pittsburgh's Homecoming 2003 Oct. 24. Festivities continue through Oct. 26 and include individual school reunions, open houses, concerts, pregame activities, and the Oct. 25 football game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Syracuse Orangemen.

The free Pitt Program Council fireworks and laser show, choreographed to music, will be held at 9 p.m. on Bigelow Boulevard. It will feature colorful explosions shot into the sky while beams of laser light stream across the boulevard between the Cathedral of Learning and William Pitt Union (WPU).

Pitt's free annual Homecoming Extravaganza will be held in WPU from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. The event includes free play on 35 arcade games, food, tarot card readings, balloon art, handwriting analysis, and airbrushed body art.

Prior to the Saturday football game, alumni and friends can participate in the Pitt Alumni Association's Pregame Tent Party, beginning three hours before game kickoff outside of Heinz Field. In addition to 11 school, college, and alumni affinity-group tables, the tent will provide people with the opportunity to be photographed in the School of Engineering Formula One SAE racecar and participate in an interactive video training program presented by the School of Information Sciences. There also will be food and beverages for purchase.

Other weekend highlights include a Student Gateway Clipper Cruise from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Oct. 25. The cruise will feature music, dancing, casino games, and prizes including a Spring Break trip to Panama City. Student tickets are $20 (with valid Pitt ID) and $53 for all others. Undergraduates may bring a nonstudent guest at the student price. A free concert featuring organist Robert Sutherland Lord is scheduled at 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in Heinz Memorial Chapel.

For more information about the fireworks and laser show or the Friday evening Extravaganza, contact Pitt Program Council at 412-648-7900, or visit www.pitt.edu/~ppc. For questions about the other homecoming events, call 800-258-PITT, or visit www.alumni.pitt.edu.

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