This year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend has a science fiction theme titled “Berks and Beyond.”
Families of Penn State Berks students will experience life on campus, while alumni will have an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates when the college hosts its annual Family and Homecoming Weekend, from Friday, Sept. 23 to Sunday, Sept. 25.
This year’s event has a science fiction theme titled “Berks and Beyond” and attendees are urged to wear their favorite sci-fi or Penn State apparel. The program will include activities for the entire family, including social and athletic events that showcase the campus. Most events are open to all attendees, but preregistration is required for the Picnic Lunch and the Alumni Reunion Luncheon.
The festivities begin on Friday with a float-building party from 1 to 8 p.m. in the Beaver Community Center parking lot in preparation for the next day’s Homecoming Parade. The night’s activities conclude with a bonfire from 9 to 11 p.m. on the Luerssen lawn.
On Saturday, the events begin at noon. Families may check-in and pick up information and souvenir gifts beginning at noon at the event check-in table on the Perkins lawn. Event schedules will be available along with tickets to purchase for THON bingo.
Students, employees, and their families are invited to attend a picnic from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the tent on the Perkins Plaza lawn. Advanced registration is required by Sept. 16. Register online at http://bit.ly/2bz5b4n.
Meanwhile, alumni and their families are invited to the Alumni Reunion Luncheon under the alumni tent on the Luerssen lawn beginning at noon Saturday. Attendees are asked to register online prior to Sept. 5, by completing the online registration form at http://bit.ly/2aWybrC. Cost is $6 per person if paid in advance or $10 the day of the event.
Other activities at the Perkins Plaza, Perkins Lawn, and adjacent lawns include live music, inflatables, pluck-a-duck, street performers, freebies, and more.
The Homecoming Parade will begin at noon before the women’s soccer game. Floats built by students, faculty and staff will be on display. Presentation of the Homecoming Court, where the 2016 student queen and king will be crowned, will take place at 1:45 p.m., during halftime of the women’s soccer game. Then the men’s soccer team will host a home game at 3 p.m. at the soccer field behind the Beaver Community Center.
Rounding out the day’s events are THON Bingo at 3:15 p.m. and tie-dyeing with the Blue and White Society at 4:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Berks benefitting THON student organization will host their annual 5K or 1-mile walk, led by the Nittany Lion. Check-in and registration begin at 9 a.m. at the Beaver Community Center. The run/walk begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $20 for early registration, $25 for regular registration. To register, visit sites.psu.edu/berksbenefittingthon77/5k-run/. For additional information or to purchase tickets, contact Bernadette Samanns via email at [email protected].
For more information about Family and Homecoming Weekend, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 610-396-6052 or the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076. Register for all events online at berks.psu.edu/StudentLife/homecoming.htm.
