NORMAL - Organizers say a party more than a year in the making, and dubbed Grandest of Enterprises: Illinois State University's Sesquicentennial Gala, promises a high-style celebration Saturday worthy of the state's oldest public university.

"This is probably one of the most important social events in ISU's history," said Linda Bowman, an ISU professor and wife of ISU President Al Bowman. She's helped organize the event since its inception.

"We wanted to create a very formal event; we really felt it should be elegant and classy … celebrating both the early history and the accomplishments of Illinois State, especially of the last 10 years," said ISU's first lady.

But if you don't have a ticket yet, don't bother renting a tuxedo. Originally expecting about 300 or 400 guests, organizers said they were pleasantly surprised to quit accepting reservations last month after reaching 600.

Those holding the $150-per-person tickets will enjoy the end result of a plan that's been formed by committees and subcommittees, refined, and morphed again throughout the year, say organizers.

"As it began taking shape, there would be collaborative chats, brainstorming and walking through the evening over and over and over - with people suggesting different ideas, starting to see how the evening would flow," said music organizer Steve Steele, an ISU music professor and director of bands.

"It's still morphing," said Steele.

"We started with a black-tie concept, but opted for red-tie" to connect the homecoming "Spread the Red" theme, said Carol Struck, director of ISU's 150th celebration.

Entertainment includes alumni, faculty and students along with award-winning celebrity Suzzanne Douglas, an ISU graduate, as master of ceremonies.

A veteran of stage, movie and television, Douglas' credits includes "Threepenny Opera," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "The Cosby Show." Her most recent role has been in the musical "Women of Brewster Place."

Alumni, faculty and student musicians also will perform.

"Not using the electronic piped-in music, it dresses up the event. Musically, it will be a very stunning evening for guests," said Steele.

Guests can stay for after-hours jazz starting at 10 p.m. with Soft Spoken, a Twin City band.

Mixed in with fine dining and music will be two auctions to benefit ISU scholarships, appearances by people portraying Abraham Lincoln and Jesse Fell, theatrical readings from ISU history, taped video messages from alumni and a live-music extravaganza broadcast on large screens.

The event's behind-the-scenes work has brought volunteers from every corner of campus, and from a slew of alumni, said Linda Bowman.

Green View's Darin Lyons, who studied horticulture at ISU, said his tie to the Redbirds makes this assignment special. Saturday morning, as tables are being set with linens and china, he'll be in the foyer with a bevy of white mums, red Home Run roses, boxwood hedge and some ornamental grasses for texture.

The evening's formality will get a helping hand from nearly 100 students enlisted to serve at the event. The group even took etiquette lessons for formal servers.

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Red-tie optional

No ticket to Saturday night's gala? No worries. The Illinois State University campus has plenty of events to celebrate its homecoming during the campus's 150th anniversary.

Today

- Casino Night; 7 p.m., Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom.

Friday

- Homecoming luncheon; noon to 2 p.m., Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom. College of Education Alumni Hall of Fame member Barbara Caldwell will be the featured speaker. Cost: $10 per person, with advance registration.

- Torchlight parade featuring music by the Big Red Marching Machine; 6 p.m., stepping off from Manchester/Hewett basketball courts.

- Hoopfest; 7 p.m., Redbird Arena. First look at men's and women's basketball teams.

- Bonfire, pep rally and fireworks; 8:15 p.m., north entrance of Redbird Arena. Crowning of homecoming royalty.

Saturday

- Town & Gown 5K run; 7 a.m., starting at College Avenue and University Street.

- Homecoming parade; 9:30 a.m., stepping off from the corner of College and University.

- Pre-game tailgating; 10:30 a.m., Redbird Tent Zone near Hancock Stadium.

- Football game; 1:30 p.m., Hancock Stadium. Redbirds take on the Indiana State Sycamores.

Sunday

- Women's soccer, Rebirds vs. Creighton; noon, Adelaide Soccer Field