MTSU’s 2016 homecoming game will be Saturday, Oct. 15, when the Blue Raiders football team will take on Western Kentucky University’s Hilltoppers, university officials announced May 4.

Kickoff time for the Oct. 15 contest has yet to be determined.

The game will follow several campus activities, including the annual blood drive competition against WKU, the Golden Raiders Reunion honoring the Class of 1966, the annual Homecoming Parade, the “Mixer on Main” Parade-Watching Party and Homecoming Tailgate on the lawn of the President’s Residence.

In this October 2015 file photo, hundreds of MTSU fans turned out for the “Mixer on Main” event along East Main Street in conjunction with the Homecoming Parade. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

“Homecoming is perhaps our program’s most anticipated date of the season, and we’re glad the 2016 game will feature our longtime rival and Conference USA partner,” Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said.

The seventh annual “Blood Battle” between MTSU and WKU, the three-day event when the universities challenge each other to donate the most pints of blood during drives on each campus, will be held in the days leading up to the game.

The Mixer on Main Parade-Watching Party and Homecoming Tailgate, both family-friendly events, will feature music, parade announcers and souvenir photos. Alumni officials said road construction on the Middle Tennessee Boulevard project will not slow either signature event.

“Alumni staff are working closely with MTSU Campus Planning and the city of Murfreesboro to ensure that the festivities will be in full gear,” said Rhonda King, MTSU’s assistant director of alumni relations.

“Walnut Grove will be in full swing before the game with Raider Walk, activities and tailgating.”

King said officials will provide updates on www.MTalumni.com as plans for homecoming week progress.

MTSU’s National Alumni Association will host the Golden Raiders and induct the newest 50-year class into the Golden Raiders Society during a luncheon and ceremony Oct. 14.

“These 50-plus-year graduates have so much MTSU knowledge and experience,” King said. “They are the living history of this university, and we are proud to commemorate this milestone with them.”

King added that the Mixer on Main Parade-Watching Party “is a favorite homecoming tradition among alumni. It is the perfect place for friends and family to gather. It is moving to see multiple generations of Blue Raiders celebrating all things MTSU.”

— Andrew Oppmann (andrew.oppmann@mtsu.edu)

In this October 2015 file photo, the Band of Blue makes its way down East Main Street during the Homecoming Parade. (MTSU file photo)