Alabama A&M's Homecoming Weekend brings together alumni and students and fills hotels in Huntsville

NORMAL, Ala. (WAFF) – Alabama A&M's homecoming weekend is underway.

HBCU Homecoming week began on Saturday, October 5th with a music-filled kickoff party. Other events such as alumni meetings and comedy and fashion shows filled the rest of the week until Friday.

On Friday afternoon, the school hosted an Alumni Day party near Louis Crews Stadium. The three-hour event offered alumni and students the opportunity to eat together and dance to music.

Artists such as King George, FPJ and Element XI performed at the party.

Faith Gatson, Miss Alabama A&M, spent her afternoon enjoying the food and music. She says Homecoming is about this event.

“I think it’s great that the alumni come here and see each other and know that we’re in a safe and popular environment,” Gatson said. “I’m just really excited and I think everyone else is too.”

The anticipation of Saturday's home game against Bethune-Cookman means there is a high demand for overnight accommodations in the area.

Several hotels in downtown Huntsville have prepared for this influx of travelers. The AC Hotel by Marriott has 120 rooms and as of Friday afternoon there were only three remaining.

The hotel's general manager, Tina Jones, says Homecoming weekend is one of the busiest of the year, but she and her staff are prepared.

“It’s all hands on deck. That goes from the general manager all the way down to every department, so you’ll see us all doing a variety of things this weekend,” Jones said. “It’s a team effort.”

The weekend may be busy for her, but Jones sees that Alabama A&M is an integral part of the local community and she is excited to welcome the crowd and make them comfortable throughout the weekend.

Saturday is the last day of A&M's Homecoming. A parade begins at 8 a.m. before the A&M football game at 2 p.m. The events end with a hip-hop party on Saturday evening.

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