Two OU Heisman Trophy winners return to their stomping grounds this weekend as grand marshals of Homecoming activities.

1969 and 1952 Heisman winners Steve Owens and Billy Vessels return to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Friday to kick off the 1995 Homecoming pep rally.

Before the rally, fans can watch the OU football team practice from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the stadium. After practice, OU Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger, OU President David Boren, Bob Barry Sr., the Pride of Oklahoma, the Ruf-Neks, OU poms and cheerleaders and OU football players will head up the pep rally beginning around 7:15 p.m.

Immediately after the rally on the 50-yard line, 20 greek organizations will compete in the annual cheer and chant competition.

Saturday parade Grand Marshals Owens, Vessels and Rep. J.C. Watts will lead hundreds of Sooner aficionados at 4:30 p.m. The Homecoming royalty, 15 floats and 14 high school bands are among parade participants.

The parade kicks off at the North Oval, moves east on Boyd Street, south on Asp Avenue and ends on Brooks Street between the OU Fieldhouse and Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

During pregame activities at 6:10 p.m. Saturday, 10 homecoming candidates will be introduced, and the winner will be announced.

Sabrena Jameison, Homecoming chairperson, said she expects 4,000 to 5,000 fans to attend.

"Friday and Saturday are going to go great now that everything is settled," she said. "When ESPN decided to cover the game, it was a great decision but a hectic one. We had to move a lot of stuff around."

LaTasha Giddings, member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, said she and about 30 other students will walk in the parade adorned in '70s attire. Giddings bought bellbottoms, platform shoes and red eyelashes for the retro event.

"We're going to carry big jam boxes and play '70s music in the parade," Giddings said. "We'll be dressed up and loud and crazy."