U of L Homecoming bringing massive block party back to area around KFC Yum! Center

This is a reminder for us cynics as to why the put the arena downtown.

The University of Louisville’s most popular alumni event is returning to the streets around KFC Yum! Arena.

Marking the beginning of football homecoming week, U of L fans will gather gather Sat., Oct. 13 at the KFC Yum! Center Plaza as the University of Louisville Alumni Association hosts Homecoming on Main Street.

It’s a big, free block party around the plaza in front of the downtown arena. Which we’re guessing will attract fans, along with all the people who couldn’t care less about sports, but who come downtown each weekend looking for excitement.

Homecoming on Main Street is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and includes music, inflatables bouncy thingies, face painting, a rock-climbing wall, vendor booths, games and a beer garden.

A bunch of downtown restaurants will offer specials during the event.

U of L officials rated the first downtown homecoming block party last year as their most popular 2011 alumni event, bringing thousands of people to the KFC Yum! Center.

We have no reason to expect any less this year.

Key events for the 2012 party are:

•  The Jumbotron outside the arena will show the U of L football away game against University of Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.
• There will be a pep rally with athletic team representatives, UofL Marching Band, spirit squads and the Cardinal Bird, 2:30 p.m.
• The Red-White men’s basketball scrimmage tips inside KFC Yum! Center, 4 p.m. Tickets to the basketball scrimmage are $10 for the lower side and corner and $5 for the end zone and can be purchased through the U of L Ticket Office, 502-852-5863, or through Ticketmaster online.
• The U of L homecoming football game is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 20, with the Cards playing. University of South Florida. We’re waiting for the TV networks to figure out the schedule for the kickoff.