After being postponed last year due to COVID-19, Lamar University students, alumni, family and friends are welcome back to campus on Thursday, Nov. 11 through Saturday, Nov. 13 for the 2021 Homecoming and Cardinal Family Weekend.
The university will offer many of its traditional homecoming events while Cardinal Family Weekend will feature activities and sporting events for students, their families and alumni to enjoy. From an antique car show and Cardinal FanFest to a bon fire and pep rally, LU’s 2021 Homecoming offers something for everyone.
Thursday, Nov. 11Festivities begin Thursday, Nov.11 at 1:30 p.m. with the formal investiture of Dr. Jaime R. Taylor as Lamar University’s 16th President. Immediately following the ceremony, a community celebration will be held in the Quadrangle at 2:30 p.m. where all students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community are welcome.
Friday, Nov. 12Cardinal Family weekend officially kicks off with on-campus family activities and events throughout the day. Alumni, family and friends are welcome to attend the traditional bon fire and pep rally set to start at 5:30 p.m. in the field near the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum.
Saturday, Nov. 13Big Red’s Ride Classic & Antique Car Show returns this year at
Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The entire Southeast Texas community is invited to take a step back in time while viewing an assortment of restored cars from area car clubs. There will also be a Lucas Gusher re-enactment immediately following the Car Show. Admission is free and open to the public. Free parking and shuttle service to the Homecoming FanFest also will be provided.
The
Dishman Art Museum is currently presenting the Julie Speed: East of the Sun and West of the Moon in exhibition from noon – 4p.m.
This exhibition features nearly 30 works of art from the last five years exploring Speed’s mining of Western and Eastern imagery, her combination of structured and spontaneous processes, and her creation of narratives and worlds that ignite the viewer’s imagination. Admission is free and open to the public.
Corvette enthusiasts can check out the Corvettes of the Tri-City Corvette Club Car Show in the parking lot of the Mary and John Gray Library from 12:30-4 p.m.
Homecoming FanFest Cardinalpalooza kicks off at noon in the Montagne Center A-5 parking lot. Students, alumni and Cardinal fans will be able to enjoy local food trucks and sample free craft beer while listening to cover band Champagne Room. Booths from local museums and LU departments will provide free educational and entertaining children's activities, lawn games, and other tailgating activities. Free parking is available is parking lots off Rolfe Christopher, and shuttle busses run between different Homecoming activity venues.
The Office of Alumni Affairs invites LU alumni to reconnect with their fellow Cardinals at the Alumni Homecoming Pre-Game Party at the Montagne Center from 2-4 p.m. Registration in $20 per person and includes a meal, dessert, two drink tickets, LU Spirit Item, and a green section football game ticket for Homecoming. Children under three are free.
The Lamar University marching band is set to host the Showcase of Southeast Texas Pre-Game Show at 3:40 p.m. in Provost Umphrey Stadium. Then, watch as the Cardinals take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Provost Umphrey Stadium. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
To learn more about 2021 Homecoming festivities, visit
lamar.edu/homecoming.