Brownwood News – Howard Payne University is looking forward to hosting a large group of alumni, community members and friends in just under a month for Homecoming 2018: The Carnival of Blue and Gold. The event is slated for November 2-3 with many of the Homecoming activities open to the general public.

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Alumni and visitors may register for Homecoming events online; some require purchased tickets while many are free of charge. For complete details and the latest schedule information, visitwww.hputx.edu/homecoming or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 325-649-8007 or via e-mail at[email protected].

This year’s carnival-themed event will include new activities including food trucks and carnival games. Food trucks will be set up on Saturday, November 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at HPU’s Muse Plaza & Mall area and carnival games will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the same location. Returning this year are the popular Bonfire on the Bayou (sponsored by Visit Early Texas), pep rally and fireworks display at Riverside Park on Friday evening. The Pep Rally begins at 8:45 p.m., the bonfire at 9 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

The Alumni Association will host a 5K road race on Saturday morning beginning at 7:45 a.m. Most of the 3.1-mile course runs along Brownwood’s Camp Bowie Walking Trail and begins at Festival Park located at 3206 Milam Drive. Participants are invited to walk or run during the event.

Additional Homecoming events are highlighted below.

When they arrive on campus, alumni and visitors will have an opportunity to immediately reconnect with HPU friends at the Mabee University Center during Registration. Attendees may check in at the registration booths to pick up nametags and other materials. Those who pre-registered will be able to pick up their t-shirts, sponsored by Willie’s T’s, at the registration booths.

Performances of “Missing Link” will be held at the university’s Mims Auditorium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and children 13 and younger. Tickets may be purchased through the Homecoming website or at the door on the evenings of the performances. Those who purchase tickets online for Thursday’s performance should contact the Office of Alumni Relations prior to the event at 325-649-8044.

HPU’s Walker Memorial Library will open its Archival Display and Treasure Room to the public Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to noon. The library will also host a carnival-style funhouse on Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and again on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

The Golden Graduate Luncheon honoring the Class of 1968, sponsored by Wendlee Broadcasting, will be held Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of the university’s Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center.

The Homecoming Court will be presented during Homecoming Convocation at 2 p.m. on Friday in Mims Auditorium.

The Alumni and Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Friday from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the Beadel Dining Hall of the Mabee University Center. During the banquet, the Homecoming 2018 honorees will be recognized. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Cobbler on the Campus sponsored by Underwood’s will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday evening at HPU’s Muse Plaza & Mall.

The evening will conclude at Riverside Park with a pep rally (8:45 p.m), Bonfire on the Bayou (9 p.m.) and fireworks display (9:30 p.m.).

In addition to the 5K road race, Saturday morning will begin with a variety of reunion breakfasts.  TheAlumni Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. During this time, alumni are invited to reunite with friends in the Beadel Dining Hall of the Mabee University Center. Also at 8 a.m. on Saturday will be the Hispanic Fellowship Breakfast in Bullion Suite C of the Mabee University Center and the Jacket CenturyLetterman’s Breakfast in Bullion Suite A.

The Alumni Association Remembrance and Reflection, a time designated to gather in memory of alumni who have passed away, will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday at HPU’s Grace Chapel.

The Homecoming Parade, sponsored by Bruner Auto Group, begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. The parade will begin at the Brownwood Coliseum, travel down Center Ave. and end at the university’s Doakie Day Art Center. The best areas to view the parade are downtown and on campus along Center Avenue.

The Little Jackets’ Nest, sponsored by Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 10:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Muse Plaza & Mall. This is a time of games and other fun activities for children.

HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts will present a Choir Concert at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the university’s Mims Auditorium.

A variety of departmental and student-organization receptions will be held Saturday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Muse Plaza & Mall.

In addition to food truck options, a Family Lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Beadel Dining Hall of the Mabee University Center.

The HPU Yellow Jacket football team will play Southwestern University at 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Gordon Wood Stadium. Tailgating will precede the game beginning at 3 p.m.

A variety of reunions, athletic events and other events will be held throughout the weekend. A complete schedule of events and ticket prices are available online at www.hputx.edu/homecoming.

In addition to the sponsors mentioned above, HPU thanks the following business for their support: Adidas; Brookshire’s; Citizens National Bank; Double H Mercantile; Dr Pepper Bottling; Marsh & McLennan Companies – Brian Borovay and Daniel Prescott; Mills County State Bank; Painter & Johnson Financial; PF&E Oil Company; Porter Insurance Agency; Smith & Sharpe Agencies; TexasBank; and United Supermarkets.

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