Wartburg College will celebrate Homecoming & Family Weekend Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 13-16. This year’s theme is “Shine Your Armor.”

“We look forward to having hundreds of alumni, parents and friends on campus to ‘shine their armor’ throughout the weekend. It is always such a wonderful weekend to see everyone come together and share their pride in being a Wartburg Knight,” said Renee Voves, director of alumni and parent relations and annual giving.

The public is invited to traditional Homecoming events, including Kastle Kapers, the student variety show; the Renaissance Faire, featuring student organizations, off-campus vendors (including new food vendors) and family-friendly activities; the football game; and the parade.

Kastle Kapers kicks off the festivities Thursday, at 8 p.m., in Neumann Auditorium, followed immediately by the coronation of the Homecoming king and queen. A pep rally begins at 9:45 p.m. in Levick Arena. An encore performance of Kastle Kapers begins at 8:45 p.m. Friday.

Children ages 3-12 are invited to take part in the annual Wartburg Track & Field Children’s Track Meet on Saturday, 8:30-10 a.m., in the Hoover Fieldhouse & Track in the Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center.

The Homecoming parade, which follows Fifth Street Northwest and Bremer Avenue, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. Jane Lindner, who recently retired after serving in the alumni office for 24 years, will serve as grand marshal. The Renaissance Faire on the campus mall begins at 10:30 a.m.

The Knights will take on the Simpson Storm at 1:30 p.m. in Walston-Hoover Stadium, followed by Oktoberfest on the campus mall from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

The W will offer $5 admission to the public Friday and Sunday and free admission Saturday.

The public also is invited to:

“Thin Places” art exhibit by Lauren Frances Evans and Stephen W. Evans, daily, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Waldemar A. Schmidt Gallery, Bachman Fine Arts Center.

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

Early Morning Knight Run/Walk, Saturday, 8 a.m., Walston-Hoover Stadium.

Wartburg Community Symphony concert, “A Sense of Place,” Saturday, 8 p.m., Neumann Auditorium.

Wartburg 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/homecoming.