WCU's Big Birthday Bash for 125th year

Description

Western Carolina University is opening the academic year by throwing itself a party in honor of the 125th anniversary of its founding, and all alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff and members of the surrounding community are invited to take part in the festivities.
 
Christened the Big Birthday Bash, the free event is scheduled from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, on the A.K. Hinds University Center lawn and the adjoining Central Plaza. The afternoon will include a picnic on the lawn featuring barbecue, hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, watermelon, funnel cakes, deep-fried goodies, lemonade, tea and – of course – birthday cake.
 
Also on tap will be a variety of old-fashioned games and photo opportunities with props representative of 125 years of WCU history. The tentative schedule includes musical entertainment provided by the Dirty Guv’nahs, and party-goers will be eligible to win a variety of door prizes. Student hosts will be giving guided tours of a walking trail featuring university landmarks and points of historical interest as part of a project by a WCU history class.
 
            The university’s Cat-Tran shuttle service will be available to assist in transporting off-campus guests from designated parking areas to the site of the Big Birthday Bash. No pets are allowed, although service animals are welcome.
 
“We want to invite everyone to come out and join us for what we hope will be a very enjoyable afternoon with good food, good music, interesting activities and a time to relax and socialize with other members of the Western Carolina University family,” said Zeta Smith, WCU director of special events who is co-chair of the events committee planning the bash. “It should be fun for everyone of all ages.”
 
The yearlong observance of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the institution began back in January as hundreds of people crowded into the Grandroom of the University Center for a kickoff event highlighted by a fashion show of clothing from throughout the university’s history, modeled by students, faculty, staff and community members.  The majority of the year’s celebration is designed around traditional highlights of WCU’s annual calendar, such as spring commencement ceremonies, Mountain Heritage Day, the Spring Literary Festival, Homecoming, alumni receptions across the state and the Southeast, and a variety of events in communities across Western North Carolina.
 
The final quasquicentennial event is set for Friday, Dec. 5, in the Ramsey Center, with music from the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band (which will have just returned from its appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade), refreshments, remarks from the chancellor and special recognition for those who will graduate during the December 2014 commencement (the last graduating class of WCU’s 125th year).
 
For more information about the Aug. 26 Big Birthday Bash, call 828-227-3033. For more information about other 125th anniversary events, visit the website celebrate125.wcu.edu.