Local businesses are encouraged to “Paint the Town Blue” for the upcoming Homecoming festivities at Williams Baptist University. This year’s Homecoming celebration will be November 3 & 4. Prizes will be awarded to the businesses judged to have the best displays.

“WBU alumni will be returning to their college hometown, along with parents and other guests arriving for the Homecoming celebration,” said Rachel King, executive director of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “This is our chance to welcome them back to Lawrence County and to show them our support for Williams.”

King said businesses are encouraged to paint their store windows, hang blue decorations, and put messages on their signs welcoming WBU alumni back to the area. She said merchants are also encouraged to be creative and find other ways to celebrate Homecoming along with the university.

“Our alumni enjoy getting back to our community, going to the places where they hung out with their friends and remembering the fun times they had here,” said Brett Cooper, vice president for creative services at Williams. “It is wonderful when those coming back for Homecoming get to see the community showing its support and welcoming them back.”

Cooper noted that in addition to alumni, a large number of WBU students and their parents will be on hand for Homecoming and will be circulating in the community.

More information on WBU’s Homecoming can be found at williamsbu.edu/homecoming/.