The University of Maine at Presque Isle is hosting another jam-packed Homecoming celebration from Thursday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 20, offering everything from socials, performances, and athletic events to alumni games and the annual Hall of Fame dinner.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium at Wieden Hall, the University is teaming up with WAGM-TV to host a screening of three new shows in the FOX Tuesdays line-up. This sneak peek includes three half-hour shows including two comedies—“Grandfathered” starring John Stamos and Josh Peck, and “The Grinder” with Rob Lowe and Fred Savage—as well as “Scream Queens,” a frightfully funny homage to horror starring Jamie Lee Curtis. This event is free and open to the public and there will be free popcorn and Fox TV giveaways. This event is rated PG-13. Also on Sept. 17, there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive happening all day long in the Campus Center; everyone is encouraged to stop by, walk-in and help to save a life.
Festivities kick into high gear on Friday, Sept. 18. A BBQ lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Campus Center lawn (rain location will be Kelley Commons), where faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends can enjoy a delicious, all-you-can-eat meal for just $5 (or use a meal plan). That evening, there will be an Alumni Pasta Supper from 5-7 p.m. in the Campus Center, which will help to raise funds for the Alumni Association. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children; this event is sponsored in part by Aramark Dining Services. At 6 p.m., Homecoming participants can take in an Alumni Baseball Game at the Presque Isle High School field.
Also at 6 p.m., the University will host the Reed Gallery Rededication Celebration in the Center for Innovative Learning (formerly the Library). This special event to “unveil” the Reed’s beautiful new space and rededicate the gallery will celebrate its namesake and history. The celebration will include a reception—featuring music, arts-themed refreshments and a cash bar, as well as a unique live painting activity by UMPI alumnus Ken Lund (who will paint the celebration at the new space as it happens). It will also include a rededication ceremony, with a tribute to the Reed Family who established the Reed Fine Art Gallery, and a ribbon-cutting for the new space.
At 7 p.m., the University Players will present its first Broadway Revue in the Auditorium at Wieden Hall. This one-night-only performance will feature local talents singing Broadway songs from musicals that have been revived on Broadway over the years. $5 donations will be accepted at the door. A bonfire will get underway at 8 p.m. behind Gentile Hall, treating participants to s’mores, hot dogs, music, and more. The night will cap off with the annual Alumni and Friends Social in Frankie’s Lounge at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center starting at 8:30 p.m. Festivities include giveaways and refreshments.
The fun continues on Saturday, Sept. 19, with awards, games and a special crowd-pleasing spectacle in the evening. The Homecoming Alumni and Friends Brunch begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Alumni Room, Campus Center. During the brunch, the classes of 2011, 1991 and 1956 will be honored. In addition, the Distinguished Educator of the Year Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented. Cost for the event is $10 and limited to the first 50 people. To RSVP, email rebeccastepp69@gmail.com.
All are encouraged to take part in “game day” with a UMPI Owls Tailgate from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Women’s (Noon) and Men’s (2 p.m.) soccer games vs. Fisher College, all at the Park Family Field.
That evening, the annual Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner will be held in the Campus Center at 5 p.m. Three alumni will be inducted into the UMPI Athletics Hall of Fame during the event: Sara Richard, Steve Babineau, and Coach Karl Hendrickson. Tickets are $20 per person. To RSVP, please call the Athletics Department at 768-9506.
The main event during Homecoming weekend takes place at 8 p.m. in Wieden Gym when recent America’s Got Talent semifinalists, the Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Group, presents its high flying, high energy professional gymnastics show. Their performance includes amazing acrobatic stunts and tricks inside twirling jump ropes, catapulting off mini trampolines, and thundering tumbling routines with impeccable timing. This event is free and open to the public.
The last day of Homecoming, Sunday, Sept. 20, includes an Alumni and All Comers XC 5K at 11 a.m. starting at the Park Family Field. There is no entry fee for this event, though donations to the Cross Country and Track and Field programs will be accepted. For more information, contact Chris Smith at 768-9472. Festivities culminate with the Men’s and Women’s Alumni Soccer Games, to be held at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the soccer field.
For more information about Homecoming 2015, call 207.768.9432.