University faculty, staff and students kicked off the 2008 Homecoming and Parents Weekend celebration with a picnic in Lee Plaza Monday, Jan. 28. Throughout the week, University students, faculty and staff will join with alumni and the community to celebrate The Island University’s 60th birthday. For a complete list of the full week of activities, go to http://homecoming.tamucc.edu/.

Highlights of Homecoming and Parent’s Weekend include an Islander Alumni and Parents’ Awards Breakfast, the Islander Revue music and dancing extravaganza, a Homecoming parade, an Islanders’ basketball game, and an After-Game Bash featuring two live shows.

Friday features include the Athletic Hall of Honor Dinner at 5 p.m. at the University Center. The ever-popular Islander Revue will be held at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center where student performers compete for cash prizes.

Saturday’s highlights include a downtown parade at 2 p.m. which leads to the American Bank Center for tailgating before the Islander men’s basketball game against Southland Conference rival the University of Texas at San Antonio at 4 p.m. An After-Game Bash follows immediately at two locations.

Texas country rockers, The Scott Wiggins Band, one of the top up-and-coming country-rock groups in the state, will entertain fans at the Water Gardens with music ranging from Texas country to Southern rock and blues, while the A&M-Corpus Christi Jazz Ensemble performs jazz favorites at the Art Museum of South Texas. Both live show are free and will begin around 6 p.m.