NASCAR driver William Byron to join Homecoming festivities this weekend

Generations of Champions for Christ will reunite on the campus of Liberty University this weekend for Homecoming. The annual event kicks off Friday and is jam-packed with activities for the whole family, from athletic contests and the Homecoming parade to hayride tours of campus, an early-morning footrace across Liberty Mountain, and a carnival. NASCAR driver William Byron, a sophomore at Liberty, will join his Liberty family on Saturday, taking part in the parade and unveiling his new Liberty-sponsored No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro during halftime of the Flames Football game versus Kennesaw State.

After the parade, which begins at 3:30 p.m., Byron will greet guests in a tent near the bookstore from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The tent will also have a racing simulator. (Read more about Byron and his rise to the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series in the Fall 2017 Liberty Journal.)

Homecoming registration numbers are on pace with last year, when Liberty had a record 9,000-plus registrations. Other highlights are described below. For the full schedule or to register, visit Liberty.edu/Homecoming.

Check-in opens at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday at the LaHaye Event Space in Green Hall, remaining open until 9 p.m. the first night and closing at 6 p.m. on Saturday, when kickoff is set for the football matchup.

Guests who arrive early are welcome to attend Convocation at 10:30 a.m. in the Vines Center, which will feature political commentator and radio talk show host Laura Ingraham. She will be hosting her nationally syndicated radio show live from the Convocation stage.

On Friday night, the School of Music will host a special orchestra concert — including the world premiere concert rendition of Broadway’s “Amazing Grace” musical and a performance by world renowned composer/pianist Jan Mulder — inside the Center for Music and the Worship Arts Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Football presale tickets are coming in at record numbers with fans and alumni stoked to see the Flames rising to the Football Bowl Subdivision. More athletics action is available for spectators, including two Men’s ACHA Division I competitions at the LaHaye Ice Center. The Flames, ranked 13th in the ACHA, will take on Top 25 opponent Syracuse Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. and Friday evening at 7:30 p.m.

The carnival, taking place behind the LaHaye Ice Center, will offer plenty of family fun starting at 6 p.m. on Friday and open all afternoon on Saturday. In addition to rides, including a Ferris wheel, carousel, and swings, there will be games, food, and live entertainment, including music from the Liberty Worship Collective and a basketball acrobatics exhibition by SOAR Dunk.

“We are excited to bring back the Homecoming carnival this year,” Alumni Relations Director Tyler Falwell said. “This unique experience is exciting for the whole family and a great way to introduce Liberty University to future Liberty alumni.”

Homecoming has become one of the largest annual events at Liberty, bringing several departments together to make it a success. Falwell appreciates how his staff works tirelessly to put on a successful event. Liberty has over 250,000 alumni impacting culture around the world.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Alumni Relations team for the long hours and hard work they have put in for this to be a reality,” he said. “Homecoming is a small part of what they do throughout the year, but the momentum from Homecoming excitement brings new alumni volunteers and supporters for years to come.”

Visit Liberty.edu/News for a recap of Homecoming with photos and video, and follow Liberty for live updates on social media — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.