Oregon State University's homecoming festivities start tonight with a bonfire in the Callahan Hall parking lot and are scheduled throughout the weekend.

On tap are factual and fun classes for alumni, class reunions, a parade and - of course - the Beavers' football game against Arizona State University on Saturday night.

This is the third year of the new homecoming parade. The event has 40 entries signed up as of early Tuesday afternoon, up from about 25 a year ago, said Kevin Miller, the communications manager for the OSU Alumni Association.

"It's growing. We're trying to revive these traditions. We're told, by current students and alumni, that they would like that," Miller said. "A lot of these traditions waned in the 1970s and early '80s on campus."

The parade used to be a major event, but disappeared for years until it resurfaced in 2006.

The theme for this homecoming parade, scheduled just before a certain election, is "Benny for President."

"It's a great kids' parade. It's kind of perfect because it's not very long, but it has horses and fire trucks and all of the things children like to see," Miller said.

Here are highlights from OSU's Homecoming. For more information on homecoming and a full list of events online, see osualum.com or call 877-OSTATER.

Tonight

Homecoming Bonfire - 7:30 p.m., Callahan Hall parking lot. Some OSU athletes are expected to attend

Friday

Classes Without Quizzes - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center

Classes Without Quizzes Wine Tour - 2:45 to 7 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center

Saturday

OSU Eat and Run, 5k walk/run - 9 a.m., Women's Building

Homecoming Parade - 1:30 p.m. Parade starts at First Street and Jefferson Avenue and heads west to 26th Street

BBQ and Beaver Nation Tailgater - 4 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center

Class of '63 and '68 reunion BBQ - 4 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center

Student Showcase - 4 to 7:15 p.m., Parker Plaza. See student projects.

Football game, OSU versus ASU - 7:15 p.m., Reser Stadium

Sunday

Women's basketball exhibition versus Lewis & Clark College - 3 p.m., Gill Coliseum

Men's basketball exhibition versus St. Martin's University - 5:30 p.m., Gill Coliseum