A 90-year-old tradition will be revived this Saturday at the Fall Gala in the Memorial Union.

The first Fall Gala was held in 1912 during the Homecoming celebration. The tradition continued through seven decades, with the last dance being held in 1972.

This year, the Government of the Student Body, the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Student Alumni Leadership Council plan to renew the celebration that has been gone for nearly 30 years, GSB President Ben Golding said.

“We’re going back to a tradition from the past where alumni and students get together and celebrate and share memories,” said Julie Moffitt, GSB director of lectures, arts and entertainment.

“We need more traditions here, and I think it is great to be able to revive this one,” he said.

Valet parking will be available upon arrival at the Memorial Union.

A red carpet will lead the way past the fountain and into the Great Hall, where an ice sculpture and papier-mƒche pinatas will welcome guests to the Latin-themed event, Golding said.

“We’re including the Latin dance theme and big band music that would have been played at the dances in the 1940s and ’50s,” Golding said.

“The Confidentials will be playing. They have a variety of music, including classic Latin dance and all the way through the spectrum to the modern cover music we listen to today.”

The Ballroom Dance Company will offer Latin dance lessons at 8 p.m. to help set the mood for the Latin theme, Golding added. A toast by ISU Interim President Richard Seagrave and Carol Meeks, dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, at 9 p.m. will start the dance.

“It’s a semiformal event. Suits and ties and cocktail dresses are appropriate,” Moffit said. “We’re trying to keep it elegant and to make it stand out from a regular college party.

“Students expect something different at Homecoming, something more elegant,” she said. “A lot students really don’t get to experience that, so we’re trying to give them that opportunity.”

Golding said he expects at least 500 to 700 people to participate in the dance and said organizers are prepared to accommodate up to 1,000.

Moffitt said he believes there will be an even representation of students, faculty and alumni.

Both encourage pre-purchasing tickets, although any tickets not sold before Saturday night will be available at the door.

“We’re really excited about this,” Golding said. “We invite everybody — faculty, students, alumni. It should be a lot of fun.”

Tickets are $10 per person or $18 per couple.