Revitalizing two traditions from the past, a bonfire and a parade, the University of California, Davis, will celebrate Homecoming Oct. 18-23 with a series of events that will also include an alumni awards program, pizza-eating contest and a free barbecue for the community. Homecoming was expanded this year to include a week's worth of activities -- including the parade and bonfire that hearken back to the "pajamarino" rallies of past decades -- in recognition of the important role that the event can play on campus, said Erik Brent, head of the Cal Aggie Student Alumni Network, sponsor of the event with the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and Intercollegiate Athletics. Homecoming involves new students in campus activities early in the term, brings alumni and students together, and builds support for the campus sports program, Brent said. "A major event early in the year sets the tone and starts the year off right." Activities will include: • Rally with the spirit squad, football coaches and players, and Cal Aggie Marching Band. Noon Monday, Oct. 18, on the Quad • Pizza-eating competition, dunk-tank featuring players from various sports teams. Noon Tuesday, Oct. 19, on the Quad • Student activities fair and free popcorn. Noon Wednesday, Oct. 20, on the Quad • Battle of the bands with three local groups playing rock and blues. Noon Thursday, Oct. 21, on the Quad • Tug-of-war competition between student organizations. Noon Friday, Oct. 22, on the Quad • Golf tournament pairing alumni and students. 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, Davis Municipal Golf Course • Cal Aggie Alumni Association awards ceremony and strolling dinner. 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, Main Theatre • Rally, cheer competition, bonfire. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, south of the campus Fire and Police Building • Parade through the city, featuring floats, decorated cars and marching groups. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 • Pregame barbecue. 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, field west of Toomey Field • Football game, Aggies vs. California State University, Northridge. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, Toomey Field UC Davis alumni to be honored during Friday evening's awards ceremony include • Jerry W. Fielder Memorial Award recipient Orville Thompson, UC Davis professor emeritus of applied behavioral sciences and longtime participant in campus support groups. • Distinguished Achievement Award recipient Wendell Kilgore, UC Davis professor emeritus of environmental toxicology and first chair of the state's scientific advisory panel to implement Proposition 65, the measure to identify chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. • Emil M. Mrak International Award recipient Syed F. Imam, minister of education for the government of Pakistan. • Young Alumna of the Year Award recipient Constance Chang-Hasnain, assistant professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University, and 1992 Packard Fellow and National Science Foundation Young Investigator. • Citation of Excellence recipients Antoinette Alice Betschart, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Western Regional Research Center; Dr. Salmon Paul Daniels, physician dedicated to service in his community of South Central Los Angeles; Frank C. Gill, president of the systems group of Intel Corp.; Ronald Stephen Knight, county director and farm advisor, emeritus, UC Cooperative Extension; Justin Meyer, president and wine maker of Silver Oak Wine Cellars; artist Bruce Nauman; Mark and Delia Owens, zoologists and best-selling authors working to promote wildlife conservation in Africa; and Martin Yan, host of the PBS television show "Yan Can Cook" and cookbook author. For more information about Homecoming or to make reservations for the alumni awards dinner, call the alumni office at (916) 752-0286.