Wartburg College will celebrate Homecoming Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 16-19.

This year’s theme, “Raise Your Sword,” is a great way to show pride for Wartburg, said Homecoming Committee co-director Jerica George, a senior in communication arts from Urbandale.

“We raise our sword for things we believe in, like academics, athletics, music, and student organizations,” she said.

The public is invited to attend traditional Wartburg Homecoming events, including Kastle Kapers, the student variety show; Renaissance Faire, showcasing student organizations and featuring off-campus vendors and family-friendly activities; and the parade. The Knights football team will take on the University of Dubuque Spartans Saturday, 1:30 p.m., in Walston-Hoover Stadium.

The Homecoming parade precedes the game at 10 a.m. along Fifth Street NW and Bremer Avenue with current and former members of the Board of Regents serving as grand marshals. The Renaissance Faire on the central campus mall begins at 10:30 a.m. Oktoberfest festivities are 4-6:30 p.m. on the mall.

Kastle Kapers, the student variety show, gets the weekend into full swing Thursday at 8 p.m. in Neumann Auditorium with the coronation of the Homecoming king and queen immediately afterward. A pep rally follows in Levick Arena at 9:30 p.m.

Kastle Kapers returns Friday at 9 p.m., preceded by the presentation of the Homecoming court at 8:45 p.m.

Parents can enter their children, grades K-6, in the annual Wartburg Track & Field Youth Meet, Saturday, 8-9:30 a.m., in the Hoover Fieldhouse & Track in the Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center.

The W also will offer free admission to the public, Saturday, 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and $5 admission, Friday, 5:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., and Sunday, 1-10 p.m.

The public is invited to those events and others on campus, including:

·      “Double Vision” art exhibit by David and Rebecca Kamm, both 1974 Wartburg graduates, all weekend, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Waldemar A. Schmidt Gallery, Bachman Fine Arts Center.

·      Otto Science Hall naming ceremony, Thursday, 4 p.m., Science Center courtyard.

·      “Bach’s Lunch” organ recital and lecture, Friday, noon, Wartburg Chapel Commons.

·      Early morning Knight Run/Walk, Saturday, 8 a.m., Walston-Hoover Stadium north end.

·      Book signing, “Never a Dull Moment: The Life of a Country Vet,” by Dr. Rachelle Reid, a 1984 graduate, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., northwest foyer, Saemann Student Center.

·      Women’s soccer vs. University of Dubuque, Saturday, 5 p.m., soccer field.

·      Men’s soccer vs. University of Dubuque, Saturday, 7 p.m., soccer field.

·      Wartburg Community Symphony concert, “The Charming Cello,” Jay Campbell guest cellist, Saturday, 8 p.m., Neumann Auditorium.

·      Wartburg Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble concert, Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Neumann Auditorium.

·      Wartburg Choir concert, Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Wartburg Chapel.

The full schedule of events is available at www.wartburg.edu/alumni/homecoming.aspx.