Celebrate the new school year during UNK’s Blue and Gold Welcome Week

KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney is kicking off the new school year with a weeklong celebration.
Blue and Gold Welcome Week features a variety of events and activities that connect new and returning Lopers with campus and the Kearney community.
The festivities begin Friday, when more than 2,000 people are expected to be on campus for the annual Blue and Gold Showcase. Scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on the campus greens near Cope Fountain, this iconic event brings students, staff, faculty and community members together for an evening of fun, food and entertainment.
Around 200 businesses, campus organizations and other exhibitors are expected to participate, giving attendees a chance to learn more about local resources while collecting lots of free stuff. Chancellor Doug Kristensen will host his traditional community picnic from 5:30-7 p.m. that day as part of the showcase.
The Pride of the Plains Marching Band will perform a public exhibition 7:30 p.m. Friday at Foster Field and there’s a bilingual concert (Spanish/English) featuring Rosendo Robles at 9 p.m. near Cope Fountain.
Friday’s events are free and open to the public.
Another popular Blue and Gold Welcome Week event, Destination Downtown, is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. Aug. 24 along Central Avenue in downtown Kearney.
Students and community members are invited to check out local businesses and vendors while enjoying food, games and other activities, including an outdoor concert from Nebraska rock band ECHO beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be discounts for UNK students, as well as prize giveaways.
A meal at Cunningham’s Journal costs $7 per person, but all other activities are free.
UNK students can take a free shuttle to and from the event. The shuttle runs from 5-9 p.m., with pickup and drop-off points in the parking lot north of the Nebraskan Student Union and near Cunningham’s Journal.
The new school year officially begins Monday, when fall classes start at UNK.