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Homecoming to include variety of public events

By Lyndel Owens '10
September 26, 2007

This year's Homecoming and Family Weekend at St. Olaf College, Friday, Sept. 28, through Sunday Sept. 30, will offer plenty of activities open to the public, including the annual 5K run/walk, the St. Olaf Orchestra and Homecoming Weekend concerts and various seminars, plus a Harvest Festival and Local Goods Market that will feature numerous artisan booths and locally grown food.

HomecomingRunWalk
Runners of all ages enjoy the annual 5K run/walk during St. Olaf Homecoming.
St. Olaf is pleased to be able to offer a number of activities and events to the general public. "It's a time when we can introduce the greater community to what is important on the Hill right now," says Assistant Director of Alumi and Parent Relations Nathan Soland '04.

Saturday morning activities begin at 7:15 a.m. with registration for the annual Homecoming 5K run/walk that kicks off at 8 a.m. from Skoglund Fieldhouse. The $15 participation fee includes a T-shirt. (Last-minute registrants will be accepted.) At 8:30 a.m. students and alumni will meet in Buntrock Commons to perform volunteer outdoor cleanup in the Northfield area until 11:30 a.m. (advance registration recommended).

Two notable seminars that are open to the public include "The Moral Evaluation of Terrorism" presented by Edmund N. Santurri, professor of religion and philosophy, in Buntrock Commons 142 at 9:15 a.m. At the same time in Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons, coordinators involved with St. Olaf's "green" initiatives will present an overview of campus sustainability efforts and discuss how energy consumers can make a difference in their own homes.

InternationalFestival
This year's public Harvest Festival will feature a variety of local foods.
The Harvest Festival will begin at 11 a.m. on Buntrock Commons Plaza. Participants will lunch on locally grown food (wristbands are $15 adults, $8 children) -- including pork, chicken, lamb, grass-fed beef, campus-farmed vegetables and (not quite as local) Lake Superior salmon -- at the weekend's main event that will showcase the work of local artisans, plus contra dancing. In addition, author Gary Holthaus will sign his book, From the Farm to the Table: What All Americans Need to Know about Agriculture, in the St. Olaf Bookstore 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The football game between St. Olaf and Gustavus Adolphus will begin at 1 p.m. at Mantiou Field (ticket prices for the public are $2-6). The women's soccer team will face off against the College of St. Benedict on the varsity field at 1 p.m. (no admission charge).

Music: Something for everyone
From 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday the Colorado-based seven-man vocal group FACE (featuring Ben Lunstad '92, an original member of the popular St. Olaf a cappella group The Limestones), will perform with the current Limestones in Buntrock Commons on the Lion's Pause Mane Stage.

Saturday evening activities include a performance by the internationally recognized St. Olaf Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in Skoglund Center Auditorium. The 92-member ensemble, conducted by Steven Amundson, will preview pieces that they're preparing for their upcoming spring tour of Spain. The program will include "Un Tango Nuevo" from Pura Vida!, composed by Northfield resident Daniel Kallman and featuring Barry Costanzi '09 on solo accordion.

After the morning's worship service in Boe Chapel at 10:30 a.m., the Family Weekend Concert will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Skoglund Center Auditorium. The performance will feature four ensembles: Norseman Band, Philharmonia and the first-year male Viking Chorus and female Manitou Singers.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.