CEDAR FALLS -- The University of Northern Iowa's Homecoming celebration, "Pump up the Purple," is under way and will continue through Saturday with activities for UNI students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.

The official kick-off ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on top of the Maucker Union. The ceremony features the pep band, the UNI spirit squads and Panther Pride Cry competition.

On Thursday, teams of four will compete in a Panther Scramble, a crazy obstacle-course competition. The competition begins at 4 p.m. Also on Thursday, the Campus Activities Board will show "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," at 7 and 9:30 p.m. in the Maucker Union Ballroom.

Friday is Purple Pride Day. Students, faculty and staff are invited to show off UNI spirit by wearing school colors around campus. Purple attire is encouraged as the UNI women's soccer team faces the Missouri State Bears at 7 p.m., at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex.

The annual homecoming pep rally will begin at 8 p.m. Friday outside the McLeod Center. Students will compete in Panther Pride Cry Finals followed by a show of fireworks and Campaniling at 11:45 p.m. at the Campanile.

At 8 a.m., Saturday the Panther Pacers Running Club will host the 11th annual 5K Run/Walk. Participants will meet at the West Dome parking lot. The cost of the race is $20. For more information, or to download a copy of the entry form, visit www.pantherpacers.com/data/downloads/pprc_2008_5k_registration.pdf.

The Panther Festival begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday on the corner of College and West 23rd streets. From 10 to 11:30 a.m. there will be a "virtual" parade, and at 10:30 a.m. there will be an official welcome and the announcing of the Alumni Award Recipients and Hall of Fame recognition. Food, inflatable games and the Panther Zone will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Also on Saturday is the Hall of Fame luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the McLeod Center. Tickets are $20; for more information, contact Sheri Bishop, athletics administration, at (319) 273-2470.

Campus tours will depart from the Alumni House starting at 11 a.m. and noon on Saturday.

The UNI football team takes on the Illinois State Redbirds in the UNI-Dome. Kickoff is at 4:05 p.m. Then UNI head volleyball coach Bobbi Petersen and her squad will take on the Braves from Bradley University in a 7:30 p.m. match-up at the McLeod Center.

For more homecoming information, visit www.uni.edu/homecoming.