NMCC Homecoming
to return after 20 years
PRESQUE ISLE — After months of hard work and planning, the newly formed Northern Maine Community College Alumni and Friends Organization is set to host the college’s first homecoming celebration in nearly 20 years Sept. 10-12.
The weekend of events is being planned to coincide with the annual Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention, which will be held in Presque Isle this year. Organizers see the bringing together of both activities as an opportunity to ensure a fun-filled weekend of entertainment for the whole family.
“The Alumni and Friends Organization feels the pairing of these two events will be beneficial to both as the two activities are very much open to the public and the additional activities will help draw larger crowds,” said Scott Carlin, president of the NMCC Alumni and Friends Organization. “We are looking forward to working jointly with the organizers of the firefighter’s convention to welcome hundreds of visitors to Presque Isle that weekend.”
Homecoming festivities get under way when the college hosts a campus open house Friday, Sept. 10 on the Presque Isle campus. Alumni, community members and prospective students are invited to tour the college and take a look at some of the exciting projects taking place on campus. The open house will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
As a part of the open house, community members are invited to a barbeque lunch and pep rally at 11:30 a.m. Members of the NMCC soccer team will be introduced and musical entrainment will be provided by the Presque Isle Middle School Jazz Band.
All alumni of NMCC (or as it was previously known, Northern Maine Technical College or Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute) and their friends and family are invited to attend a homecoming alumni dinner and award ceremony on Friday evening in the Edmunds Conference Center at 5 p.m. Following dinner, four “outstanding” alumni will be honored.
Saturday, Sept. 11, the NMCC Alumni and Friends Organization will take part in the parade taking place in downtown Presque Isle. The parade, sponsored by the Presque Isle Fire Department, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and travels through town ending at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. Alums are invited to walk alongside the NMCC float or to gather with the family street side to watch the community wide parade featuring other local floats, as well as firefighters and fire trucks from across the state.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, NMCC alums take to the turf against the current Falcon’s soccer team. Alumni are invited to play on the team or take to the stands with family and friends to cheer players on. The fun wraps up Sunday as the NMCC soccer team gears up for a regular season game on the field at Presque Isle Middle School.
In addition to NMCC’s homecoming activities, the Presque Isle Fire Department will host a number of other events that weekend as a part of the 47th annual Maine State Firefighters Convention. Along with the parade, they will feature a variety of displays and demonstrations, as well as a visit by “Emergency” star Randolph Mantooth at the fairgrounds on Saturday. There will also be a special memorial service Sept. 11 in honor of both those firefighters whose lives were lost Sept. 11, 2001, as well as for Maine firefighters who have lost their lives during the past year.
A performance by Maine’s own “wicked funny” comedian Bob Marley will take place Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. at The Forum, and a Firemen’s Muster is planned for Sunday at the fairgrounds. All events are open to the public and most activities are free.
“We truly encourage all alumni and community members to come out for the weekend and join in the fun of these special events,” said Carlin. “With both NMCC Homecoming and the firemen’s convention taking place, there will sure be plenty to enjoy.”
For more information about NMCC Homecoming events contact Shannon Cook in the Northern Maine Community College Foundation office at 760-1188.
