From bull riding at the rodeo to a tailgate under the big top, the 2019 Homecoming Celebration on April 5-6 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 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 Cookout, Alumni Awards Luncheon, Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner, The Fabulous Golddusters Reunion, Golden Alumni Gathering welcoming the class of 1969,  a reunion of the ’68, ’69, and ’70 basketball teams, Alumni Socials, Tailgate Under the Big Top, Remembrance Service, and Community Plant Sale.

Alumni can put their green thumb to work by purchasing flowers and shrubs from the J.G. Woodroof Farm at the Community Plant sale on April 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Alumni Awards Luncheon will be held April 5 at 12:30 p.m. in Gressette Gymnasium. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by March 27. If any tickets remain after that date, the cost will be $30.  No tickets will be sold at the event. Later that day, the Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner will be held in Gressette Gym at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $40 and can be purchased by March 27 from Shirley Wilson at [email protected].  The Fabulous Golddusters’ reunion will take place at 5 p.m. on April 5 at the Alumni House patio.

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 5-6.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for those 18 and under. 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.

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 Donaldson Dining Hall. Cookout tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children nine and under.  Tickets should be purchased in advance by calling (229) 391-4900.

Following the cookout, head over to Stallion Field for a Tailgate Under the Big Top at 1:30 p.m. Join in the fun for a circus-themed tailgate with games, food, prizes, and entertainment while the Stallions play baseball and Fillies play softball.

Prospective students can tour the campus on April 6 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.  

The Golden Alumni Reunion welcomes the class of 1969 to gather in the Lakeside Lobby on April 6 at 1:30 p.m. Young alumni are encouraged to gather at The Lamplighter Pub at 5 p.m. on April 5. All alumni are encouraged to attend the social at the Alumni House patio on April 6 at 5 p.m.  The ’68, ’69, and ’70 basketball teams will meet in Gressette Gymnasium at 3 p.m. on April 6.

The Homecoming festivities will come to an end with the finals of the Gee Haw Whoa Back rodeo on April 6 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.