It’s the biggest weekend of the year at Brock University and the entire Niagara community is invited.

The University’s annual Homecoming celebration takes place from Friday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Sept. 17 with festivities happening both on campus and off.

From sporting events to reunions to campus tours, high-tech demos, Grape and Wine Festival events and the Terry Fox Run, Brock Homecoming offers something for everyone.

“Homecoming weekend is the premier alumni event of the year,” said Shelley Huxley, Director, Alumni Relations. “This weekend provides activities and events for our alumni, their families and the broader community. It is a terrific display of Badger pride and spirit to kick off the academic year.”

Two highlights this year are the 50-year class reunion for the Class of 1967 — the first graduating class to celebrate a half-century reunion at Brock, as well as an Alumni Recognition of Excellence event, where eight distinguished alumni will be recognized for their outstanding contributions in their fields of work.

A full list of Homecoming weekend events can be found on the Brock University website, and all events are open to the media.

Here are some of the major Homecoming events scheduled for this year:

Grape Stomp — Friday, Sept. 15, Noon

Brock’s annual Grape Stomp has been called one of the Top 10 best Canadian university traditions. Nearly 1,000 students are expected to take part in the messy grape-stomping party in Brock’s Jublilee Courtyard.

Tailgate Party / Steel Blade Classic — Friday, Sept. 15, 4 p.m. / 7 p.m.

Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts is hosting the annual Homecoming Tailgate Party featuring a beer tent, barbecue, music and family-friendly events.

From there, the party moves indoors when the Brock Badgers men’s hockey team hosts the Guelph Gryphons in the annual Steel Blade Classic at the Meridian Centre. A post-game Alumni Pub Night will be held at Mansion House.

Reunions — Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16

Among the reunions being held throughout the weekend are: Class of 2007, 2012 and 2016; 25- and 50-year reunions; Sport Management, Political Science, and Rec and Leisure; and Badgers reunions for hockey and fencing.

SESQUI Virtual Reality Experience — Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sesqui, in collaboration with the Brock University Library Makerspace, will be bringing a virtual reality experience to the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. The VR experience features five-minute stories about Canadians who are shaping their world through creativity. The Makerspace will also be showcasing some of the emerging technologies available in Brock’s library such as 3D printing, robotics and circuitry.

Brock Badgers five-pack — Saturday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to the Steel Blade Classic hockey game Friday night, there will be a full slate of Brock Badgers home games taking place Saturday. Men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s rugby and men’s lacrosse are all in action.

Alumni Recognition Reception — Saturday, Sept. 16, 2 to 4 p.m.

The 2017 Distinguished Alumna and Faculty Distinguished Graduate Award winners will be celebrated during an afternoon reception. Among the recipients this year are Marcia Trudeau-Bomberry (BA ’00) who served as CEO of the recent North American Indigenous Games in Toronto; Jeff Dykeman (BSM ’05) former Chief Business Officer for PGA Canada; and Lilian Tomovich (BA ’89) Chief Experience and Marketing Officer for MGM International.

Educate Your Senses — Saturday, Sept. 16, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival by hosting its popular Educate Your Senses wine and cheese seminars during homecoming weekend. Hosted by CCOVI instructor Christopher Waters, the seminars will introduce attendees to some of Niagara’s top winemakers, including alumni of Brock’s Oenology and Viticulture program, as they share the experiences and stories behind their wines.

Niagara Grape and Wine Festival Alumni Social — Saturday, Sept. 16, 5 to 7 p.m.

The first-ever Brock VIP experience at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. Experience local wine while enjoying Montebello Park in a private area away from the crowds. The event is open to Brock alumni, staff, faculty and community friends.

St. Catharines Terry Fox Run — Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.

For the first time, Brock University is hosting the St. Catharines Terry Fox Run on its main campus. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the run starts at 10 a.m. The event is open to everyone in the community. Advance registration can be done online, including for anyone interested in joining the Brock University team.