FORT KENT, Maine – Even with the rain, the University of Maine at Fort Kent had a successful homecoming weekend with hundreds in attendance.
UMFK Director of Marketing & Brand Management Heidi Carter said that while it is difficult to determine exactly how many attended, the school had 400 food vouchers on Saturday and gave out all of them.
Carter said the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet ended up selling out, and the Homecoming Brunch was among the more popular events throughout the weekend.
Homecoming also featured several games. UMFK won every game on Saturday. Final scores were 3-1 against Thomas College in Women’s Volleyball, 5-0 against Fisher College in Women’s Soccer, and 2-1 against Fisher College in Men’s Soccer. The Sunday Women’s soccer game against Maine Maritime Academy was a tie at 0-0.
The university kicked off the festivities with a special dedication of the school’s basketball court to former coach Lowell “Ozzie” Osgood, who came up with the Bengals name during his 15-year career.
And on Saturday morning, the university hosted a flag raising ceremony at the new UMFK Veterans Square.
“Our flag poles had been taken down several years ago due to multi-year construction projects,” Carter said. “We were happy to have them return to campus and include the community in this special event.”
Looking ahead, Carter said the school will have a more elaborate event observing Veterans Day on Nov. 8 at 11 a.m.
Students on Saturday also hosted a petting zoo at the UMFK quad on Saturday. Hot air balloon rides were scheduled for Saturday, however they were postponed due to the rain.
And a plethora of food trucks also served food, and there were bounce houses and obstacle courses on campus for young guests.
Carter said nearly every office on campus comes together to make homecoming happen.
UMFK Facilities Director Jason Guerrette said that organizing and preparing for homecoming is a major undertaking.
Last year’s homecoming, which featured a dedication of a soccer field to Michael Simon, was major.
“A lot of the community came and showed up, and it was awesome,” he said on Saturday. “So we’re trying to keep that going, because COVID dampened a lot of that.”
Carter said on Monday that homecoming is special for UMFK because of the way it brings students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community together.
“UMFK has a special relationship with the community of Fort Kent – unlike any other college or university – and it was really nice to see community members on campus, enjoying the activities and supporting our athletes,” she said.
