Complete Gobblerfest 2009 schedule of events set
With more than 370 student organizations, businesses, non-profits, and Virginia Tech departments registered for booths, and a full slate of programming throughout the afternoon and into the night, Gobblerfest 2009 will surpass last year's event in size, scope, and variety.
Aug. 27 update: Because of the possibility of rain, the venue for the Gobblerfest Class of 2011 Kickoff Concert and Pep Rally has been changed to the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center.
Gobblerfest will be held Friday, Aug. 28 beginning at 2 p.m. outside of Squires Student Center and the Graduate Life Center on the Virginia Tech campus, and up College Avenue into the downtown Blacksburg business district.
Started in 2008 as a welcome festival for students, staff, faculty, and community members, in just one year Gobblerfest has become a Virginia Tech campus tradition with more than 12,000 people in attendance. Students, staff, faculty, and community members are encouraged to attend this free event, which is a part of Hokie Hi.
In addition to interactive games and inflatables, carnival food, and the Class of 2011 kick-off concert and pep rally, several new activities have been added to the Gobblerfest 2009 schedule.
An acoustic music stage on the steps of the Graduate Life Center and in the Squires food court will feature local performers. A silent auction at the entrance to Squires will benefit the newly established Community Initiatives fund, a joint endeavor of University Unions and Student Activities and the Town of Blacksburg. Improvisational performances by the Virginia Tech Department of Theatre and Cinema will be staged on the steps of the new Theatre 101 building on College Ave. Alcohol-free events in Squires throughout the night include the movie “Up,” comedian Dan Ahdoot, and the National Panhellenic Council of Virginia Tech DJ party.
The Gobblerfest activities culminate in a midnight pancake breakfast with celebrity servers such as Coach Seth Greenberg, the HokieBird, and the Virginia Tech Residence Hall Federation. A complete schedule is available on the Gobblerfest website.
University Unions and Student Activities is once again hosting Gobblerfest with the coordination and cooperation of a variety of campus, municipal, business, and non-profit partners.
“The support and involvement of the Town of Blacksburg, the Downtown Merchants of Blacksburg, and campus organizations such as the Campus Alcohol Abuse and Prevention Center, the Graduate School at Virginia Tech, VT-ENGAGE, the Student Alumni Association, and the Student Budget Board office have been vital to staging an event of this magnitude,” said Greg Beecher, chair of the Gobblerfest planning committee. “We should also recognize the businesses that went beyond basic support to help fund this event: Champs Restaurant and Sports Bar, Smith’s Landing, SunTrust Bank, and Henebry’s Jewelers and many others.” See a full list of Gobblerfest sponsors.
