The University of Maine at Presque Isle is hosting a jam-packed Homecoming 2009 celebration from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20, offering everything from entertainment by a trio of comedians to a Homecoming Bazaar to socials, alumni games and the annual Hall of Fame dinner.
Festivities kick off at Noon on Friday, Sept. 18 outside Wieden Hall with a Student Recognition BBQ and Pep Rally for fall athletics. Cost of the lunch is $6. At 3 p.m. in Wieden Auditorium, President Don Zillman will deliver the State of the University Address. Immediately following his remarks, the crowd will move to the west lawn of Pullen Hall for the 3:30 p.m. unveiling of the IT Men. This installation is a precursor to the Phish Retrospective, which begins on Sept. 28 and focuses on the economic, sociological, and creative aspects of the three Phish concerts that have taken place in northern Maine. Following the unveiling, the crowd will walk to the south lawn of the building for a 3:45 p.m. ceremony to properly acknowledge Caron’s Landscaping for its generosity in providing a beautiful landscaping addition to the southern entrance of Folsom Hall.
At 4 p.m., a reception for the Fine Art Majors Exhibit will be held in the Reed Fine Art Gallery. At 5:30 p.m., the annual Women’s Soccer Spaghetti Supper will be held in the Campus Center. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Friday night caps off with the annual Alumni Social at 8 p.m., to be held this year at the new Hampton Inn on Main Street. The social is being hosted by alumnus Sharon Roix ’64, Laura (Bouchard) Gardiner ’82, and Keith Madore ’95.
The fun continues on Saturday with an alumni baseball game at 9 a.m. at the Presque Isle High School field, a Bachelor of Social Work Alumni Brunch at 10 a.m. in the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge, a wind turbine tour at 10:30 a.m., Phi Eta Sigma’s National Honor Society inductions at 2 p.m., the annual “swim and gym” at Gentile Hall from 2-5 p.m., and several athletic games throughout the day. At 11:30 a.m., the Annual Alumni Luncheon and Awards ceremony will be held in the Campus Center. Jane White Kilcollins, Class of 1993, will be named the Educator of the Year Award recipient and Ronald Fitzgerald (Class of 1969) will be given the Distinguished Alumni Award. Cost for the luncheon is $10.
A new treat for families and sports fans is the Homecoming Bazaar, to be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Park Family Fiend. There will be face painting by the Wintergreen Arts Center and free ice cream and balloons, as well as a concession stand and Beer Garden on site for adults 21 and older enjoying the afternoon soccer game. At 5 p.m., the annual Hall of Fame reception and dinner will be held. Cost is $15.
The weekend’s main event takes place at 8:30 p.m. when Three Funny Guys! take the stage at Wieden Auditorium for a night of comedy. Ryan Gartley, Jim Colliton and Rob Steen have been seen individually on national television shows like Comcast Comedy Spot Light, Comedy Central Laugh Riots, and the Late Show with David Letterman. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
The last day of Homecoming serves as an alumni sport day, with cross country and soccer games in the morning and early afternoon. A brand new event – a Disc Golf Tournament, will be held at 9 a.m. at the new, 9-basket UMPI Disc Golf Course. An alumni athlete hot dog roast will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Park Family Field.
For more information about Homecoming 2009, contact Keith Madore at 768-9568.