Stetson University’s Homecoming 2011 will be celebrated this weekend, March 25-27, with many events – including the annual Mainstreet Block Party, concerts, lectures, sporting events and a special event at the Gillespie Museum – open to the public. Stetson will also have a public reception at Stetson Hall, the residence hall slated to be torn down this summer. Students from the MBA class who were studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan, when the earthquake hit March 11, will be conducting a fundraiser for earthquake relief at the block party in downtown DeLand Saturday night.

Class reunions, including an entire decade reunion for the 1970s, will be held for the following classes: 1956, 1961, 1966, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006.

Dr. T. Wayne Bailey, professor of political science, will be honored at a reception at duPont-Ball Library. Stetson will also honor alumni who served in Vietnam or during the Vietnam era at a reception in the library.

This year’s Homecoming will feature an International Food and Wine Festival for alumni, with many local restaurants showing their support by donating items. The menu will feature small plates of gourmet specialties from Spain, Japan, France, Italy and the United States along with paired beverages. Alumni will enjoy live music from the Stetson University Jazz Ensemble.

“This year’s Homecoming promises to be exciting,” said Amy Dedes, assistant director of Alumni Relations. “We have many groups returning to campus to celebrate reunions or anniversaries, and we are also coming off of the very exciting news about football returning to Stetson, so I’m sure there will be a big buzz around campus.”

Public events are:

Friday, March 25:

• Women’s Lacrosse Scrimmage: 4 p.m. Rinker Field, 100 block of East Pennsylvania Avenue; free admission.
• Men’s Lacrosse vs. University of Florida Freshman Team: 6 p.m. Rinker Field, 100 block of East Pennsylvania Avenue; free admission.
• Men’s Baseball vs. East Tennessee State University: 6:30 p.m. Melching Field at Conrad Park, 555 S. Woodland Blvd. Features a pre-game introduction of the 2011 Homecoming Court; $7 general admission.
• 50th Anniversary of the Beckerath Organ: 7:30 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd. Join Stetson in wishing a Happy 50th Birthday to the beloved Beckerath Organ, featuring Professor Emeritus Paul Jenkins and Price Professor of Organ Dr. Boyd Jones; free admission.

Saturday, March 26:

• Run (Walk) Around Stetson 5K: 8 a.m. Walk/run to raise money for Stetson alumni programs. Register at 7:30 a.m. at the Edmunds Center, 143 E. Pennsylvania Ave.; $10 to participate.
• Beading, Seeding and Weeding: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Join the Gillespie Museum and Hatter Harvest for earthy activities including jewelry-making with natural stones and a chance to pot an heirloom seed or pull a weed in the gardens. Gillespie Museum and Rinker Environmental Learning Center, 234 East Michigan Ave.; free admission.
• Reception Honoring Political Science Professor Dr. T. Wayne Bailey: 10 a.m. duPont-Ball Library; free admission.
• Reception at Stetson Hall: 1-3 p.m. at Stetson Hall in the core of campus; free admission.
• Men’s Baseball vs. East Tennessee State University: 2 p.m. Melching Field at Conrad Park, 555 S. Woodland Blvd; $7 general admission.
• School of Music Showcase Concert: 2 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd., featuring the University Symphonic Band directed by Dr. Bobby Adams; free admission.
• Mainstreet Block Party: 8–11 p.m. along East Indiana Avenue in downtown DeLand. All alumni are invited to join students, faculty, staff and the DeLand community for a street-wide bash! The Japan fundraiser will include a silent auction and a bake sale, and cash donations will also be accepted. The street festival is free and open to the public and will also include the crowning of Homecoming King and Queen and various Homecoming Weekend and alumni awards. Live music will feature Class of 2003 alumni Matt Burke and Bruce Baker with their award-winning group, The Matt Burke Band. Free admission.

Sunday, March 27:

• Men’s Baseball vs. East Tennessee State University: 1 p.m. Melching Field at Conrad Park, 555 S. Woodland Blvd.; $7 general admission.
• Wood Ensembles Concert, 3 p.m. Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd.; free admission.For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (386) 822-7480.