UMPI plans ‘loud and proud’ Homecoming
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle will present an action-packed, fun-filled Homecoming 2016 weekend, complete with an inflatable obstacle course, block party, fireworks, movie under the stars and the annual Hall of Fame dinner.
Alumni, friends, and campus and community members are invited to attend all events next weekend, from Thursday, Sept. 29, to Sunday, Oct. 2.
Activities will get underway Sept. 29, with an athletics’ spaghetti supper fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Tickets can be purchased for $7.50 at the Athletics Department or at the door. That night, beginning at 10 p.m. in the MPR, the homecoming dance for students will be held.
Festivities kick into high gear on Friday, Sept. 30. A Homecoming barbecue will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Campus Center lawn (in Kelley Commons in case of rain). Faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and community members can enjoy an all-you-can-eat meal for just $8 (free for students with meal plans). In the afternoon, there will be a Coloring for All Ages event sponsored by Cary Medical Center from 2-4 p.m. in the Owl’s Nest.
That evening, from 5 to 8 p.m., there will be a block party at the Gentile Hall parking lot (rain location is inside Gentile Hall) featuring live music by Free Fall, food vendors, community activities such as face painting and tie dying, and a beer tent provided by Sodexo.
At 8 p.m., a fireworks presentation will be held at the soccer fields, immediately followed by a Movie Under the Stars – “Despicable Me” (rated PG) – sponsored by Cary’s Healthy You.
Saturday, Oct. 1, will feature the inaugural UMPI Alumni Hour at 10 a.m. in the MPR. A “State of the University” address will be given by Interim President/Provost Ray Rice, as well as Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Educator Alumni award presentations. Anyone attending any part of this year’s Homecoming activities is asked to turn out to this new event and to take part in a large group photo to be taken at its conclusion.
At 11 a.m. near the soccer fields, there will be a barbecue cookout fundraiser sponsored by UMPI Baseball. All proceeds will benefit the team. Also at 11 a.m., an inflatable obstacle course for adults will be set up near the soccer fields. There also will be an adventure obstacle course for kids sponsored by The Aroostook Medical Center.
All are invited to come cheer for the Owls on the soccer fields starting at noon, when the UMPI’s women’s soccer team takes on Unity; UMPI men will play Unity at 2 p.m.
In the evening, the annual Athletics’ Hall of Fame Dinner will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the MPR. Tickets are $20; for more information about the event, contact Sandy McDougal at 207-768-9506 or email sandra.mcdougal@maine.edu.
The main event during this year’s Homecoming Weekend will take place at 8 p.m. in Wieden Auditorium, when dance troupe Step Afrika! takes the stage. One of the top 10 African dance companies in the United States, this high-energy group has been featured on ABC News and is an official U.S. cultural ambassador. This event is free and open to the public, though donations will be accepted at the door for future cultural arts programming.
The final day of festivities, Sunday, Oct. 2, will begin with the Men’s Alumni Soccer Game at 10 a.m. on the Park Family Field. The Women’s Alumnae Soccer Game follows at 11 a.m.
Also at 11 a.m., the Community Fun Run, hosted by Chris Smith, takes place on the Park Family Field. At noon, there will be an alumni baseball game at Presque Isle High School. Activities culminate with a TAMC Sunday swim from 2-5 p.m. in the Gentile Hall pool, at a cost of $1 for children and $2 for adults.
For more information about Homecoming 2016, contact Beth Olsen at 768-9582 or email elizabeth.olsen@maine.edu.
