Western University says 15,000 people are expected to attend this weekend’s annual homecoming, which also marks 100 years for the school’s Mustangs sports team.

Trista Walker with Western University’s Alumni Relations says “When you see two classmates who haven’t seen each other for ten years see each other again, there’s something so magical about that.”

The festivities kicked off Thursday with the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Western Outdoor Sports Complex, which includes two new multisport artificial grass fields.

Other events include the Alumni Western Annual General Meeting on Thursday evening featuring Gemini Award-winning broadcaster and Western alum Scott Russell.

The 39th Annual Alumni Awards Dinner takes place Friday night while the Homecoming Football Game is being held Saturday afternoon with the Mustangs facing Queen’s University.

Robert Collins of the Western Alumni Association says “Western has got such a strong tradition in football.”

And those travelling through downtown should be aware that Richmond Street will be closed from Oxford Street to Dufferin Avenue as of 10 p.m. on Saturday so police can keep an eye on revellers.

A full list of events can be found at: http://www.alumni.westernu.ca/connect/homecoming/