Once again, the tailgating festivities will be complemented by the tent city activities, where alumni can gather and meet with friends and faculty.

Several tents make up tent city, one for each of the colleges at Eastern, a tent for the Alumni Association, a tent for the Office of Housing and Dining Services and one for the Effingham Alumni Chapter.

“It is sort of a central location for alumni to gather,” said Jen Polkow, assistant director of Alumni Services.

Former Eastern presidents Gilbert Fite (1971-1977), Dan Marvin (1977-1983) and David Jorns (1992-1999) will be mingling in the various tents to talk to the alumni.

“I think it is going to be a nice mix of people,” Polkow said.

Each tent will have food and drinks, as well as faculty and staff from all the departments, Polkow said.

The College of Arts and Humanities always has beans and cornbread in its tent, and the College of Science will have hot dogs, Polkow said.

All of the food and refreshments in the different tents are free.

Musical entertainment will be provided in the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences tent by the band The Miscelllaneous Three.

The band consists of Eastern graduate Steve Allen of Newman, former Eastern student John Hoel of Monticello and Phil Masters from St. Joe, a press release stated.

“It is just a fun thing to do at homecoming,” Polkow said. “They can expect a great time.”

Tent city is located next to the practice field near the parking lot of O’Brien Stadium, and festivities will begin around 10:30 a.m., after the parade.