It's that time of year again.
It's the time of year when University Avenue shuts down for the colorful floats parading around town.
It's the time when alumni flood city streets and parking lots for the big game.
And, of course, the time for guests to pile into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for Gator Growl.
Growl staff members say they are trying to get back to the Growl traditional image - a family-oriented pep rally - for all of The Gator Nation by featuring comedian Frank Caliendo, a star of the TV show "Madtv," and Southern-rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
While some students are excited for the acts, others are disappointed.
Kayla Kurtz, a UF animal science junior, said she will bypass the show this year and go home for the weekend instead.
"Lynyrd Skynyrd, I know them," she said.
"But they aren't actually the original Lynyrd Skynyrd."
Anna Murphy, Growl spokeswoman, said Caliendo has a "broad" appeal for audiences.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was also invited to create a traditional pep rally while honoring the recent success of Gators sports, she said.
Murphy said organizers tried to keep the diversity of attendees in mind when deciding who is going to perform at Growl. "The Gator Nation is not just students," she said.
"We are trying to register to an audience that incorporates younger siblings to grandparents."
In contrast to Gator Growl, Florida State University's Homecoming rally, called PowWow, is organized exclusively to the desires of students.
Comedian and actress Sarah Silverman was featured this year, and Stephen Colbert appeared last year.
Adam Sterritt, associate director of student activities at FSU, said the university normally tries to get a big name or the hottest comedian at that time.
He said students are polled months before the show to see which comedians students want to see.
"We have a really student-heavy show," he said.
Murphy, the Gator Growl spokeswoman, said having Dane Cook as a performer in 2004 was a turning point for the "largest student-run pep rally."
Cook used vulgar language and seemed to entertain only students, said Murphy.
His performance was not received well by some members of the audience.
Randy Talbot, executive director of the UF Alumni Association and a member of the Class of 1975, said shows like that one "run the risk of offending the very people that are supporting the show in the first place."
Murphy said that alumni are not the only demographic considered when discussing what act to feature.
Murphy explained that when a performer who is popular at a particular time is brought in for a show, organizers can run the risk of that person no longer being in fashion by the time the show comes around.
She also said performers these days seem to be genre-specific.
Somebody like Justin Timberlake would only appeal to some audience members of Gator Growl, Murphy said.
She said Lynyrd Skynyrd was a great choice because the band's music is timeless and not pigeon-holed to one type of person.
"When I told my little brother that Lynyrd Skynyrd was coming to perform, he was so excited," Murphy said.
Other students are also excited about the event.
Nika Merta, a mechanical and aerospace engineering graduate student, said she plans to attend.
She said she will also include her family in the festivities.
"I got tickets for everyone before I even knew who was going to perform," she said.
"I've gone every year, and it's fun."
