Plenty to do this weekend, before and after the game

The Locust Walk Mile is just one of many other events planned. Nothing is quite as sweet as beating Princeton in football -- or in anything for that matter. But University officials and student leaders say this weekend's festivities outside Franklin Field will be almost as satisfying. Organizers from the Alumni Society, the Office of Student Life, Kite and Key, Class Boards and the Tangible Change Committee are teaming up to sponsor a number of activities geared to both students and alumni. "It's an emerging tradition. It's an opportunity to take advantage of what is going on around campus," said Kite and Key president Jenn Brown, pointing to the numerous student groups performing this weekend. "Alumni are interested in what students do." For both alumni and students, the entertainment kicks off Friday with the Penn Glee club's annual fall show in the Prince Theatre at the Annenberg Center. And Mask and Wig's fall show begins at 9:30 in the Iron Gate Theater at 37th and Chestnut streets. Another performance is scheduled for Saturday. For seniors, though, a Quizzo competition and Screamer at Shula's Steaks at the Penn Sheraton will cap off Friday night. On Saturday, the action starts at 9:30 a.m. with the traditional Homecoming Locust Walk Mile, which begins at the southwest corner of 34th and Walnut streets. There is a $5 entry fee and longsleeve T-shirts will be awarded to the top 50 male and female finishers. On the intellectual side, a panel discussion entitled "The Good, Bad, and the Ugly: Possibilities for the American City" will take place in the Terrace room of Logan Hall at 10 a.m. Penn Faculty will also host a talk on 1964 graduate Martin Cruz Smith's book, Havana Bay, at 10:30 a.m. in Van Pelt Library. For students, the Class Boards are sponsoring a free "Kegs and Eggs" pregame breakfast on College Green. According to Junior Class President David Peretz, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Gold Standard restaurant is providing egg sandwiches, bagels, apple cider and, of course, kegs full of root beer. Student musical groups -- including the Penn Band, Glee Club, Penny Loafers and Counterparts -- will get fans psyched up before the Quakers football team faces Princeton on Franklin Field at 12:30 p.m. After the game, the excitement continues. In addition to a number of social gatherings for alumni of student groups, the Pennsylvania Six-5000 will be performing their annual Homecoming Show at 8:17 in Irvine Auditorium. The Kelly Writers house is presenting an informal evening program of well-known alumni writers and spoken-word performers. And to close out the action-packed weekend, Tangible Change is sponsoring a late-night pancake breakfast at the Class of 1920 Commons dining hall.