Celebrate Vulcan Fest Homecoming Weekend Oct. 12-14

Sep 07, 2018

CMA Award-winner Lonestar to perform at Roadman Park.

lonestar

Platinum recording artists Lonestar will perform Oct. 13 at Roadman Park.

The Roman god of fire is ready to party. 

For the first time, Cal U is teaming up with the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency to present Vulcan Fest Homecoming Weekend, a community celebration of Cal U connections and hometown pride.

Named for the University’s Vulcan mascot, the celebration Oct. 12-14 expands on the traditional Homecoming favorites — alumni reunions, the downtown parade, tailgate parties and Vulcans football — to create a memorable weekend jam-packed with activities for the entire community.

See the entire schedule.

The highlight of the event is a free country music concert on Oct. 13 featuring multi-platinum recording artists Lonestar, winner of the 2001 Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year Award. Opening the show outdoors at Roadman Park is contemporary country music artist Chris Higbee.

Cal U Alumni Director Ryan Barnhart and Chris Higbee discuss Vulcan Fest plans

Watch Chris Higbee and his son, Alex, perform live on Pittsburgh Today Live

The concert begins about 6 p.m., immediately after the Vulcans’ Homecoming football game, where the Vulcans face Gannon University’s Golden Knights. The public is invited.

Admission is free, with parking at Roadman Park for $10. Fireworks will follow the show.

“California University is a premier destination in Washington County,” says California University President Geraldine M. Jones. “Partnering with the county’s tourism agency has allowed us to reimagine our Homecoming as a top tourism attraction. 

“I’m excited about using our Homecoming event as a springboard to a festival that promotes tourism in our region. I’m looking forward to meeting friends old and new at Vulcan Fest — and introducing more people both to Washington County and to Cal U.” 

Vulcan Fest is a “natural evolution” of efforts to promote the county’s tourism assets to University alumni, students and families, says Jeff M. Kotula, president of the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. 

“We also believe that Vulcan Fest will bring more customers to our Mon Valley businesses and increase visits to our river towns. Tourism is great for our local economy, and we fully expect our area to benefit from Vulcan Fest.” 

A Weekend of Fun

On Oct. 12, members of Cal U’s Class of 1968 gather at the Kara Alumni House for a cocktail reception and their 50th class reunion. Later that evening, graduates of all generations meet at The Meadows in North Strabane Township for an all-class reunion party and a house-rockin’ performance by Cal U alumnus Joe Grushecky ’71.

Festivities on Oct. 13 begin with a Picnic on the Patio brunch for alumni, followed by the Homecoming parade of marching units, bands and floats created by Cal U students. The public is invited to join the fun as bands from area high schools and the Cal U Marching Band celebrate “Decades” with a parade across campus and through California’s downtown business district.

After the parade, the community celebration moves to Roadman Park, on Cal U’s upper campus. Food trucks arrive outside Adamson Stadium just in time for a pre-game tailgate that’s open to all Vulcans football fans. Little ones can have fun in the Kids’ Zone until 6 p.m. Game time is 3 p.m., when Cal U takes on conference rival Gannon.

Hear Lonestar at Roadman Park

After the Homecoming game’s final whistle, Vulcan Fest presents a free concert outside the stadium. The headliner is Lonestar, whose No. 1 country hits include "Come Crying to Me" and the crossover smash "Amazed,” which also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band's awards include 1999 ACM Single of The Year and Song of the Year awards for “Amazed” and the 2001 CMA Vocal Group of the Year Award.

Local favorite Chris Higbee opens the show. Concert-goers may bring their own chairs. The concert closes with a fireworks display.

“Vulcan Fest is an opportunity not only to welcome our alumni back to California, but also to invite the public to visit Cal U,” says Ryan Barnhart, director of Alumni Relations.

“Everyone is welcome to stop by and have some good food, enjoy the music and stay for the fireworks after the show.”

On Oct. 14, guests are invited to explore Washington County; visit  www.visitwashingtoncountypa.com for details.   

On Campus

Free visitor parking will be available Oct. 13-14 in Lot 4 (the River Lot). 

Flat-rate meter parking is available from 3 p.m. Oct. 12 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the pay-by-license lots behind the Natali Student Center (Lot 17) and Gallagher Hall (Lot 11). 

On Oct. 13, Homecoming Day, Lot 21 will be closed. Lot 11 will be closed and used for marching bands and parade vehicles. 

These lot closures will occur at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, and remain in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. 

Lot 2 will be open to permit holders and those attending the President’s Circle brunch. 

Road closures
Beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, Third Street will be closed on campus, and Hickory Street will be closed from Sixth to Third streets to accommodate the parade. 

Campus road closures continue throughout the day. Motorists can access Lot 4 via Green Street and Second Street.
 
In the borough of California, no parking will be permitted from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 13 on Second Street (200 to 500 blocks), Third Street (200 and 400 blocks) and Union Street (200 block).

Borough police will ticket vehicles parked along the parade route beginning at 9 a.m. After 10 a.m., vehicles parked along the route will be towed. 

Vulcan Flyer shuttles

Vulcan Flyer shuttles will operate as usual until 11 a.m. Oct. 13. Service will resume immediately after the Homecoming Parade, when the shuttle stops at Booker Towers to take football fans to Adamson Stadium. 

Extra buses will be in service beginning at 2 p.m. to transport students, visitors and alumni, free of charge, to the Vulcans vs. Golden Knights football game, which starts at 3 p.m. 

Shuttle service between Roadman Park and the main campus continues until 11:30 p.m. Oct. 13. 

Shuttle service on Sunday, Oct. 14, will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no Walmart service.