Homecoming Celebration Announced

Aubrey Kreider, director of marketing and communications with Lancaster Mennonite School (LMS), is looking forward to this year's Fall Festival and Homecoming for a particular reason. "(For the first time), all grades pre-K through 12 are unified here at one campus," said Kreider. "In the past, everyone was always welcome at homecoming, but now it feels like it is everyone's campus."

To celebrate the consolidation of all grades at the LMS campus, located at 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, activities have been planned for children through returning alumni during the Fall Festival and Homecoming, to be held Friday, Sept. 30, through Saturday, Oct 1.

The fun will kick off on Sept. 30 with both pork and chicken barbecue available beginning at 11:30 a.m. Takeouts will be available until 6 p.m., and indoor dining will be open at 1 p.m. "Lancaster County loves a good barbecue," said Kreider, who noted that a band made up of LMS students will perform modern music during the barbecue. Those wishing to order barbecue may do so at http://www.lancastermennonite.org/events/homecoming-2022.

Children's activities will include hayrides, a hay bale maze, and a petting zoo beginning at 4 p.m., as well as guided tours of the campus, which will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Campus tours will be repeated on Oct. 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m. A focus on sports will include soccer games against Annville-Cleona, with the junior varsity game starting at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity game at 7 p.m. "We have a younger kids' sports team that will be walking out on the field with the high-schoolers, and they will be playing at halftime of one of the games," said Kreider. In addition, Blazer Nation will celebrate members of the 2011-12 boys' soccer state champion team during halftime of the varsity game.

On Oct. 1, the day will begin with the traditional Iron Bridge Run, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. Check-in and day-of registration will open at 7:45 a.m. Runners may also register online at the previously mentioned school website. The 5K course is located entirely on the school's 90-acre campus.

The FFA pancake breakfast will follow the run at 9 a.m. Discounts on breakfast are available for those ages 5 to 13, and children age 4 and under will be served for free.

New this year, an alumni music festival has been organized. Live performances will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Oct. 1, a family carnival will be held. The carnival will feature games, face painting, and activities for children. Food trucks, including Halo's Kitchen, Nano Grill, Souvlaki Boys, and Penny's Ice Cream will serve food for purchase from noon to 2 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.