MEDIA RELEASE: 16 September 2019 – R00146
If you’ve ever wanted to know what stomping on a seemingly endless supply of Concord grapes with bare feet feels like, you’re in luck.
Brock University’s annual Homecoming Grape Stomp takes places this Friday, Sept. 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Brock’s Jubilee Court.
Teams of students will compete for prizes by dressing up in costumes and stomping on a metric tonne of Concord grapes, with children from the Rosalind Blauer Centre for Child Care getting their feet dirty first by stomping on their own sections of grapes at noon.
Approximately 700 Brock students will have the opportunity to participate in the tradition, which has been ranked No. 2 out of the top Canadian university traditions by University Affairs Magazine.
While it is highly recommended to avoid consuming the grapes, the event will feature a free barbecue as well as live music.
The annual event kicks off Brock’s Homecoming Weekend, which includes a full slate of activities from Sept. 20 to 22. Also on the calendar:
Alumni Recognition Reception
Saturday, Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m.
Taking place in Brock’s Lowenberger Dining Hall, alumni who graduated either 25 or 50 years ago will be recognized. The event will also celebrate Greg Craig (BBA ’91) as the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award, presented by the Brock University Alumni Association. Brock’s Faculties will also present the Distinguished Faculty Graduate Awards.
Goodman School of Business tours and barbecue
Saturday, Sept. 21, Noon to 2 p.m.
Barbecue lunch for Goodman School of Business graduates and tours of the remodeled classrooms and new technology being used in the Goodman School.
Brock Night at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
Saturday, Sept. 21, 5 to 7 p.m.
Back again for 2019 is the Brock VIP experience at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. Brock alumni who have pre-purchased tickets will experience local wine and food while enjoying a panoramic view of Montebello Park from the elevated and covered Harvest Lounge.
Reunions
Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21
Among the reunions being held throughout the weekend are: Classes of 1969, 1994, 2009, 2014 and 2018.
Brock Sports
Saturday, Sept. 21
Brock’s Alumni Field will host a pair of homecoming rugby games. The men play against Laurier at 1 p.m. with the women to play against Queen’s at 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 22
For the second year, Brock will host Hometown Baseball at George Taylor Field. The men’s baseball team will play the Ontario Blue Jays in a community-focused game at 1 p.m. Gates open at noon with free Badgers baseball hats for the first 100 kids. There will also be facepainting and a family zone.
A full list of Homecoming weekend events can be found on the Brock University website, and all events are open to the media. Spots are available for media interested in taking part in Grape Stomp alongside the students Friday. Contact Dan Dakin for more information.
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
* Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.
– 30 –
