From bull riding at the rodeo to a fascinating new exhibit focusing on ABAC athletics, the 2018 Homecoming Celebration at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on April 6-7 offers events for students, alumni, and the community.

ABAC Alumni Director Lynda Fisher said this year’s Homecoming festivities include the Gee Haw Whoa Back Rodeo, Homecoming Concert, Alumni Awards Luncheon, Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner, Homecoming Cookout, Stallion Baseball Tailgate, and Alumni vs. Students softball game.

Alumni can put their green thumb to work by purchasing flowers and shrubs from the J.G. Woodroof Farm at the annual plant sale on April 5-6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Alumni Awards Luncheon will be held April 6 at 12:30 p.m. in Gressette Gymnasium. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by March 28.  Later that day, ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture will host the Athletics Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets for the event are $40 and can be purchased through Shirley Wilson at [email protected] by March 26. This year’s Hall of Fame event includes the new Gallery Exhibit, “The Glory Days,” showcasing gloves, bats, and assorted relics from ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame athletes.

Bull riding and bronco busting will be the theme of the night for the annual Gee Haw Whoa Back Rodeo which begins at 7 p.m. on April 6-7.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under are $5. Current members of the Alumni Association will receive one free ticket.  Events include saddle bronco riding, bareback riding, bull riding, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, break-away roping, and barrel racing.

A special event will follow the rodeo on April 6 when recording artist Jason Michael Carroll takes the spotlight at ABAC’s Tractor Pull Track at approximately 9:30 p.m. for a live concert.  Admission is included with the purchase of a rodeo ticket. Carroll debuted at #1 on the country charts in 2006 with his album “Waitin’ in the Country.”

On April 7, a Remembrance Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of All Faiths, honoring the memories of students and alumni who have passed away and those currently serving in our military.  A Homecoming Cookout will follow at 11:30 a.m. at The Meadows. Cookout tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children nine and under.  Tickets should be purchased in advance at www.abac.edu/homecoming.

Following the cookout, head over to Stallion Field where an alumni tent will be set up for a Stallion Baseball Tailgate at 1 p.m. The Stallions meet Andrew College in a doubleheader. Beginning at 2 p.m. alumni will take on students in a softball game on Fillies’ Field.

Prospective students can tour the campus on April 7 during Stallion Day, an event that gives high school students the opportunity to experience a slice of college life.  Stallion Day will run from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at various locations across campus.  Prospective students can register for Stallion Day at www.abac.edu/stalliondays.

From 9 a.m-4 p.m. on April 7, Homecoming guests can visit ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village during its annual Folklife Festival.  The celebration will also feature the American Legacy Quilt show, the ceremonial firing of the Turpentine Still, the season opening of the Wiregrass Farmers Market, a display of Bessie Tift’s personal china, and an antique tractor parade through the village at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Admission to the Folklife Festival is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for children 5–16 years of age, and free for children under five. For more information, interested persons can contact the Country Store at (229) 391-5205.

Three special ABAC alumni reunions are scheduled on April 7.  Environmental Horticulture graduates will gather at ABAC’s Forest Lakes Golf Course at 9 a.m.  The Golden Alumni Reunion welcomes the class of 1968 to join in the Lakeside Lobby at 1:30 p.m. Young alumni are encouraged to gather at The Lamplighter Pub at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is requested. Those interested can go online to www.abac.edu/homecoming.  

The Homecoming festivities will come to an end with the finals of the Gee Haw Whoa Back rodeo at 7 p.m. on April 7 at the ABAC Arena, where the winner of the Stallion Cup will be announced.  The Stallion Cup is awarded to the campus club or organization at ABAC that earns the most points during Homecoming Week.

For information on the 2018 ABAC Homecoming activities or to sign up for an event, interested persons can go to www.abac.edu/homecoming or call (229) 391.4900.