PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle”s homecoming 2018 weekend, Sept. 27-30, will feature a dance troupe, fireworks and many other activities for friends and family.
Festivities kick off on Thursday, Sept. 27, with an Alumni Coffee Hour for students from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in the Owl’s Nest. From 5-7 p.m., the Women’s Basketball team will host a spaghetti supper fundraiser in the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room. That evening, a Luau Dance Party will be held for students from 9 p.m. to midnight., DJ’d by Jake Ball in the MPR.
Activities continue on Friday, Sept. 28, with a Walk on the Bike Path, starting at Gentile Hall and going to Riverside Park from noon to 1 p.m. For art lovers and those who want to try their hand at painting, a Paint & Punch event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Campus Center. Cost is $30 per seat; seats are limited to 40 individuals.
All are invited to join in for Oktoberfest and Pints with Professors on the Campus Center Lawn and Owl’s Nest from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; cost is $9 for those without a meal plan and a cash bar will be available.
The main event over homecoming weekend — is the Kotchegna African Dance Company beginning at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium at Wieden Hall. The performance by the New York-based dance troupe is free and open to the public.
On Saturday, the Third Annual UMPI Alumni Hour in the MPR begins at 9 a.m. with a social and refreshments for alums and friends. At 10 a.m., the official program will get underway, with a “State of the University” address by President Ray Rice and recognition of three alumni award recipients.
Immediately following, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants can enjoy a Block Party at the Tennis Court Parking Lot, or Gentile Hall if it rains. The party includes music by Heath Bartley, a beer tent, food and community vendors, as well as a car show in the Center for Innovative Learning Parking Lot. At noon, the Owls Women’s Soccer team takes on SUNY Canton at the Park Family Field. Then the Men’s soccer team battles SUNY Canton at 2:30 p.m.
There will be a Wine Tasting and Pairing at the President’s House from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with non-alcoholic beverages available for students and participants under 21.
The evening ends with fireworks at 8 p.m. on the Park Family Field, followed by a bonfire with S’mores behind Gentile Hall at 8:15 p.m.
A Parent-Student Disc Golf Tournament starts at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Park Family Field. Competitors will be entered for a chance to win a $50 Campus Store gift card. Participants can also hop aboard Molly the Trolley for a 1-hour ride/tour — two time slots are available: at 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Each ride is $5 per person and leaves from the Tennis Court Parking Lot.
An UMPI Alumni and All-Comers XC 5K starts at 11 a.m. at the Park Family Field. Events close out with women’s soccer at noon and men’s soccer at 2:30 p.m. with both teams battling Fisher College on the Park Family Field.
For more information about Homecoming 2018, contact Craig Cormier at craig.cormier@maine.edu or 207-768-9425. To view the full homecoming schedule online, visit www.umpi.edu/alumni. For those making plans to attend Homecoming 2018, register at www.umpi.edu/homecoming-reg.
Submitted by the Community and Media Relations Office of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
