Friday's Rock the Block community block party on East Haggard Avenue will also include music, food, games, fireworks and an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the Lamberts to Elon.
Elon’s Rock the Block community party is returning for a second year as students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university gather along East Haggard Avenue on Friday, Nov. 3, to help kick off Homecoming 2017.
This year’s celebration starts at 5 p.m. and will include a special tribute to President Leo M. Lambert and his wife, Laurie, as he prepares to conclude his service as president at the end of February. The tribute at 6:45 p.m. presents an opportunity for the Elon community to offer its thanks to the Lamberts for all they have done for Elon through the years. The short program will be followed by a fireworks show at 7 p.m.
Launched last year, Rock the Block brings together hundreds along East Haggard Avenue and on Young Commons to listen to music, enjoy a wide range of food truck cuisine and participate in a variety of games and activities.
Mary Chayse Bullard, coordinator of alumni engagement for Homecoming and other events, said Rock the Block proved to be a popular way to start Homecoming festivities when it was launched last year. “We’re so excited to bring back the Rock the Block community block party for a second year,” Bullard said. “With so many different activities, along with the tribute to the Lamberts and a fireworks display over Moseley Center, it’s going to be a great way to kick off Homecoming weekend.”
A stage erected next to East Haggard Avenue in front of Alamance Building and facing Young Commons will host The Band Punch, which will perform beginning at 5 p.m. and then take the stage again following the fireworks display.
A lineup of food trucks will be on hand including Bam Pow Chow, Bulkogi BBQ, Soom Soom Pita, Taaza Bistro, Dusty Donuts and Jam Ice-Cream, along with popcorn, funnel cakes and a cash beer and wine truck. Activities include an arts and crafts station for children, a two-lane bungee run, a jousting station, caricature and balloon artists, and more.
Alumni returning to Elon for the weekend can head to the Reunion HQ Tent, a gathering place for those celebrating special Elon milestones with old yearbooks and photos along with a photo booth stocked with props.
For more information about the lineup of activities for the weekend, visit Elon’s Homecoming site.