Behind the Scenes of FAMU Homecoming Celebrations at The Edison

2025 Friday Soiree at The Edison

Each fall, Tallahassee comes alive for Florida A&M University Homecoming. Alumni return to campus, friends reconnect across the city, and the entire community fills with the energy of reunion and celebration.

At The Edison, the excitement reaches its peak during the annual Friday Soiree Day Party. Last year alone, more than 1,200 guests gathered on the property for the event, while the restaurant remained busy all weekend with diners visiting Tallahassee for other Homecoming festivities.

For guests, the celebration feels effortless. Music fills the patio, drinks flow, and conversations stretch across the afternoon. Behind the scenes, however, the event is the result of careful planning and a large team working together to execute one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Much of that coordination falls to Christina, The Edison’s on-site events coordinator.

“Homecoming weekend is one of the biggest and most exciting times of the year for us,” she says. “You can feel the energy building across the city before the weekend even begins.”

Preparation for the event starts long before the first guests arrive. Staffing must be carefully organized, service areas planned, and the flow of guests across the property designed so that the experience feels natural even with a crowd of that size.

“When you’re preparing for more than a thousand guests, every detail matters,” Christina explains. “Our goal is for guests to simply enjoy the day without ever noticing the logistics behind it.”

Planning the event is a year-round effort for the team. Director of Catering and Private Events Kate Loving works closely with longtime Edison manager Andrea Pittell, who has been part of the restaurant’s leadership for more than a decade, along with Christina to prepare for the scale and energy of Homecoming weekend.

“We really do think about this event all year,” Kate says. “Each year we look at what worked, what we can improve, and how we can make the experience even better for everyone who comes out to celebrate.”

One of the most rewarding parts of the weekend is seeing familiar faces return year after year.

“A lot of the alumni who attend have become friends to us over time,” Kate adds. “It’s special to see people come back each year, reconnect with each other, and include The Edison as part of their Homecoming tradition.”

FAMU (founded 1887) Balloon Decor, Featured in Edison’s Innovation Hall

The event unfolds while the restaurant itself continues to serve guests throughout the weekend, creating a lively atmosphere across the entire property. Servers, bartenders, kitchen staff, and managers all work together to maintain the pace of service while the celebration builds outside.

“Our team really rises to the occasion,” Christina says. “Everyone knows their role and supports each other. That teamwork is what makes the event run smoothly.”

As the afternoon reaches full momentum, the atmosphere reflects the spirit of Florida A&M University itself. Friends reconnect, music carries across the patio, and guests celebrate together in one of the city’s most vibrant gatherings of the year.

For Christina, those moments are the most rewarding part of the work.

“My favorite part is looking out across the crowd and seeing people enjoying themselves,” she says. “Friends reconnecting, people laughing, everyone celebrating together. That’s when you know all the preparation was worth it.”

With another Homecoming on the horizon, the team is already looking forward to welcoming guests back this October for another unforgettable weekend in Tallahassee.