Everything you need to know before the University of Alabama's homecoming game

Football fans can expect almost picture-perfect weather for homecoming activities this weekend at the University of Alabama.

According to Jason Holmes of the National Weather Service in Birmingham, conditions will be cool but comfortable for the Friday night pep rally and bonfire, as well as Saturday night's football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. He said temperatures should remain in the 60s for the duration of both events.

For the homecoming parade and pre-game tailgating, fans can look forward to clear skies, a light breeze, plenty of sunshine, and temperatures in the mid-70s, he said.

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"It should be a good day in Tuscaloosa," Holmes said. "We don't have to worry about rain and we are past the cold snap we had earlier this week."

The game is sold out, but resale tickets are available at stubhub.com, the official fan-to-fan marketplace of Alabama athletics, beginning at around $45.

Here's what you need to know about UA's homecoming:

Pep rally and bonfire

UA fans are invited to the homecoming pep rally beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday on the Quad, followed by a bonfire. The pep rally will include the announcement of the homecoming queen along with performances by the Million Dollar Band and UA cheerleaders and appearances by UA's elephant mascot Big Al and guest speakers.

UA broadcaster Chris Stewart will serve as emcee, with Tide coaches Kristy Curry, Nate Oats and Nick Saban scheduled to speak.

The bonfire will be lit around 7:30 p.m.

The theme of this year's homecoming is "Legends Live Forever."

The parade

The homecoming parade will begin at noon Saturday on Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa and then move onto University Boulevard heading toward campus. Fans are invited to line the streets and watch the parade, which will feature floats, UA's fraternities, sororities, and other student groups along with the Million Dollar Band, UA cheerleaders and Big Al.

UA's living legend: Former Olympian to serve as homecoming grand marshal

This year's homecoming parade grand marshal will be Tuscaloosa native Lillie Leatherwood, an NCAA champion and two-time Olympian as a student-athlete in track and field at UA. She became the first female gold medalist from UA during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. After her athletic career, Leatherwood spent more than two decades with the Tuscaloosa Police Department's Police Athletic League, a juvenile crime prevention program that pairs at-risk children with officers.

Pre-game festivities

Two of UA's most popular pre-game rituals, the Walk of Champions and the Elephant Stomp, take place within walking distance of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Fans can cheer the UA football players, Nick Saban, and the UA coaching staff members as they arrive by bus for the game at 4 p.m. along the Walk of Champions on the north side of the stadium. That's the side of the stadium that also includes statues of Alabama national championship coaches -- Paul W. "Bear" Bryant, Saban, Gene Stallings Frank Thomas and Wallace Wade -- along with Tuska, the 24-foot tall, 7-ton elephant sculpture.

The Elephant Stomp, a pregame pep rally featuring Big Al, the Million Dollar Band and UA cheerleaders, will begin at 5 p.m. at the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library. The band will play the school fight song, "Yea Alabama," and then march down Colonial Drive, leading Crimson Tide fans into Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Inside the stadium, UA's 1992 national championship football team will be honored shortly before kickoff and former players George Teague and Prince Wimbley will serve as honorary game captains. The pre-game festivities will also include a flyover by the 58th Fighter Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base.

During the game Tuscaloosa native Sylvester Croom, who played football at UA for legendary coach Paul W. "Bear" Bryant and went on to coach Mississippi State, will be honored for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

And at halftime, the 2022 homecoming queen will be crowned.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Everything you need to know before UA's homecoming game