This fall, The University of Olivet’s Homecoming celebration is including a brand-new feature — the Festival Grounds! Located at Cutler Athletic Complex, the Festival Grounds will serve as the hub for many events and features.
The Festival Grounds offers carnival rides and games, food trucks and fair food, an OC spirit shop and the Comet Pub and the Brengman Brothers Wine Bar. In addition, many comfort and convenience amenities will be available, including ATMs, ticket sales, portable restroom facilities, first aid, the information desk, registration and packet pickup, warm drinks and the Family Resource Tent.
Finally, the Festival Grounds will host two important Homecoming essentials — the Welcome Center and the Event Tent.
The Welcome Center
The Welcome Center at the Festival Grounds will feature 1,000 square feet of dry, warm space for preregistered guests to pick up their tickets, packet and T-shirt. Alumni will also be able to check in under their class year, register for last-minute events, purchase Festival Grounds tickets, visit the information desk or Comet Spirit Shop, take photos in the photo booth and spin the prize wheel. It’s the ultimate one-stop-shop for connecting and planning the weekend.
The Event Tent Highlights
Alumni and Friends Bonfire Party
Friday, Oct. 11, 8-11 p.m.
The Alumni and Friends Bonfire Party is designed to be a laid-back evening with good friends and fun. Guests will enjoy music, dancing, a custom s’mores bar and lots of bonfire pits for making s’mores. In addition, the event will include the New Grad Bash, celebrating the Classes of 2018 and 2019.
Red and White Tailgate
Saturday, Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The Red and White Tailgate will offer lawn games, warm, dry seating, a private place to hang with friends, music, beer and wine, and a remarkable meal available only to attendees. Drinks and food are sold a la carte featuring a gourmet on-site cookout by Whitetail Farms Fresh Market.
Alumni Block Party
Saturday, Oct. 12, 5-11 p.m.
The weekend concludes with the Alumni Block Party including a DJ/band, dancing and plenty of space to enjoy the company of fellow Comets.
Other Important Notes
The “currency” at the Festival Grounds is tickets. Tickets are good for all food and entertainment offerings inside the Festival Grounds, including food, drinks, games, rides, inflatables and event cover charges. All food and entertainment offerings will have prices listed in the number of tickets, and there’s only one kind of ticket — so no worries about whether to buy ride tickets, game tickets or food/drink tickets. All events in the Event Tent require a two-ticket cover charge.
The Festival Grounds will be open from 3-11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.
View the full Homecoming schedule and Festival Grounds information. For questions, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumnirelations@uolivet.edu.