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Signature Events / Hawktoberfest / Schedule of Events

Hawktoberfest Homecoming & Family Weekend

Schedule of Events

October 17-18, 2025

CHECK-IN & WELCOME

Friday | 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Start your Hawktoberfest weekend at Daugherty-Palmer Commons by following the directional signs across campus. There you can pick up your event wristband, personalized itinerary, campus map and any paid merchandise. Our friendly staff will be on hand to help you get oriented and answer any questions.
Daugherty-Palmer Commons

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17

Choose Your Own Adventure (On-Campus Activities) | All Afternoon

Enjoy the afternoon as you please! Options include:

  • Campus Store – Take 20% off all SMCM logo merchandise (until 5 p.m.)
  • The Daily Grind – Grab a coffee or smoothie (until 5 p.m.)
  • Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland – Visit anytime (open day and night)
  • Waterfront – Relax and enjoy the view (until dusk)

Choose Your Own Adventure (Off-Campus Activities) | All Afternoon & Evening

Explore the wonders of Southern Maryland at your own pace! Options include:

  • Our Neighbor – Visit Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) with its exhibits and scenic walking trails
  • Local Towns – Discover small-town charm at Solomons Island, Leonardtown or Lexington Park
  • Parks & Beaches – Unwind at nearby Point Lookout State Park, Elms Beach Park, St. Mary’s River State Park, or Greenwell State Park, where you can enjoy scenic views, trails and picnic areas

PatioFest | 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Free Event for Registered Attendees with Wristband

Kick off Hawktoberfest weekend with PatioFest! Enjoy live music, seasonal mocktails, carnival games, festival artists and more to set the weekend’s festive, fall vibe. This new event is open to all students, families, alumni and community members joining us Friday.
Campus Center Patio

Dinner in the Great Room | 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

No Advance Sales - Swipe OneCard or Pay at the Register

Enjoy this all-you-can-eat dinner buffet from our award-winning campus caterer, Bon Appétit. Walk-up guests are welcome to attend, and students with a meal plan may use their OneCards for admission for themselves and their guests.
Campus Center J. Frank Raley Great Room - $18.55 (age 13+), $5.45 (age 3-12), Free (age 0-2)

Hall of Fame Reception | 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Preregistration Required - No On-site Sales

Celebrate the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 as we honor Khalid Balogun ’25, Earl Dean, Sean Healey ’92, Juwan Kearson ’20, Lauriann (Parker) O’Malley ’13 and Tori Poffenberger ’17. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails before the Induction Ceremony. Registered and invited guests are encouraged to check in at Daugherty-Palmer Commons before the reception.
Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center Recital Hall - $40/attendee

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony | 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Free Event for Registered Attendees with Wristband

Celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of this year’s talented honorees, Khalid Balogun ’25, Earl Dean, Sean Healey ’92, Juwan Kearson ’20, Lauriann (Parker) O’Malley ’13 and Tori Poffenberger ’17. While the preceding reception requires advance registration and payment, the ceremony itself is free and open to the public.
Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center Concert Hall

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18

Choose Your Own Adventure | All Day

Enjoy the day as you please! Options include:

  • Campus Store – Take 20% off all SMCM logo merchandise (until 6 p.m.)
  • The Daily Grind – Grab a coffee or smoothie (until 6 p.m.)
  • Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland – Visit anytime (open day and night)
  • Waterfront – Relax and enjoy the view (until dusk)

Seahawk Memorial 5K | 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Check-in opens on-site at 7 a.m.)

Preregistration Recommended - Fee Increases for Walk-ups

Weave through the beautiful trails of neighboring Historic St. Mary’s City on this inspiring 3.1-mile run (or 1.5-mile walk). Established over 20 years ago to honor the memory of student John R. Petruccelli, this event has grown into a heartwarming tradition that celebrates all SMCM community members who remain with us in spirit. Proceeds will benefit the SafeRide shuttle program, supporting student safety.
Historic St. Mary’s City - $10 (age 13+), $5 (age 0-12), Free (age 0-2) | $20 for Walk-ups

Brunch in the Great Room | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

No Advance Sales - Swipe OneCard or Pay at the Register

Enjoy this all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from our award-winning campus caterer, Bon Appétit. Walk-up guests are welcome to attend, and students with a meal plan may use their OneCards for admission for themselves and their guests.
Campus Center J. Frank Raley Great Room - $18.55 (age 13+), $5.45 (age 3-12), Free (age 0-2)

Alumni Reunion Games | Various Times

Preregistration Recommended for Alumni Athletes
Free Event for Registered Competitors and Spectators with Wristband

Alumni athletes from baseball, lacrosse and swimming are encouraged to participate in their reunion game/swim meet, or just come for the fun! Families and friends are welcome to attend.
Various Locations

Varsity Homecoming Games | Various Times

Free Event for Registered Spectators with Wristband

Make some noise for the Seahawks as they take on these homecoming opponents!
Various Locations

St. Mary’s River Cruises | 12 – 12:45 p.m., 1 – 1:45 p.m., 2 – 2:45 p.m., 3 – 3:45 p.m., 4 – 4:45 p.m., 5 – 5:45 p.m.

Preregistration Required - No On-site Sales

Take in the breathtaking view of the St. Mary’s River on a relaxing, scenic cruise aboard the Chelsea Lane Tyler. Local food trucks will be available by the River Center from 12 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Please note that the 5 p.m. cruise runs overlaps with the HawktoberFEAST Dinner, so plan accordingly.
Waterfront Pier - $25 (age 13+), $10 (age 0-12)

Art Gallery Exhibition | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Free Event for Registered Attendees with Wristband

Visit the Boyden Gallery for the exhibition, ”Sharing our Common Humanity from Common Ground (the first 38),” featuring Nicole Stewart’s portraits of descendants of Historic Sotterley (formerly the Sotterley Plantation) in Hollywood, MD. The exhibit offers an opportunity to learn more about the history of St. Mary’s County and the ways in which that history is commemorated/remembered.
Montgomery Hall Boyden Gallery

Great Bamboo Boat Race Construction | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Race begins at 4 p.m.)

Preregistration Required to Race
Free Event for Registered Competitors and Spectators with Wristband

Gather your team of family and friends (up to six members) to construct, and eventually race, a boat made entirely of bamboo and other provided materials. Family, student and employee teams are highly encouraged! Gift cards to the Campus Store of $300, $200 and $100 will be awarded to the top three teams.
James P. Muldoon River Center

Waterfront Fall Festival | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Free Event for Registered Attendees with Wristband

Bring the young and young-at-heart for this riverside fall festival. With food trucks, carnival games, pumpkin painting, face painting, lawn games and a fall-themed photo wall, there is something fun for everyone.
James P. Muldoon River Center

Great Bamboo Boat Race | 4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. (Construction begins at 12 p.m.)

Preregistration Required to Race
Free Event for Registered Competitors and Spectators with Wristband

Come experience this time-honored St. Mary’s College tradition! After an afternoon of crafting boats entirely from bamboo and other materials, teams will test them in a race across the water for the top prize - a $300 gift card to the Campus Store.
James P. Muldoon River Center

HawktoberFEAST Dinner | 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Preregistration Required - No On-site Sales Except for Food Trucks

Explore the region’s amazing and diverse cuisine. These crab and shrimp dinner options must be purchased in advance through the online registration. If you prefer indoor seating, you can eat at the Campus Center dining hall and pay on-site.
Kent Hall Lawn

  • Option 1: Steamed Crab Dinner
    • ½ dozen Maryland blue crabs, pasta salad, coleslaw, cookies and soda or water – $45/order
  • Option 2: Steamed Shrimp Dinner
    • One dozen medium/large peel ’n eat shrimp, pasta salad, coleslaw, cookies and soda or water - $25/order
  • Option 3: Food Trucks
    • Local vendors serving a variety of food will be available - Price Varies

Dinner in the Great Room | 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

No Advance Sales - Swipe OneCard or Pay at the Register

Enjoy this all-you-can-eat dinner buffet from our award-winning campus caterer, Bon Appétit. Walk-up guests are welcome to attend, and students with a meal plan may use their OneCards for admission for themselves and their guests.
Campus Center J. Frank Raley Great Room - $18.55 (age 13+), $5.45 (age 3-12), Free (age 0-2)

Seahawks’ Got Talent Showcase | 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Free Event for Registered Attendees with Wristband

Cap off the day with entertainment from a variety of the College’s talented student performers in the College’s state-of-the-art performing arts center.
Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center Concert Hall

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18

TROLLEY SHUTTLE HOURS

Hop aboard our free campus shuttle with continuous loops running every 15-20 minutes during advertised hours.

Stops located at Daugherty-Palmer Commons Circle, Dodge Performing Arts Center, Jamie L. Roberts Stadium, Campus Center and James P. Muldoon River Center. - Free

  • Saturday | 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

CAMPUS BOOKSTORE HOURS

Enjoy 20% off all SMCM logo merchandise throughout Hawktoberfest.

Campus Center

  • Friday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Saturday | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

DAILY GRIND HOURS

Grab a coffee or smoothie with friends and family at the Daily Grind.

Campus Center – OneCard, Cash or Credit Card Accepted

  • Friday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Saturday | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

DINING HALL HOURS

Check out the menus by the cash register or visit https://stmarys.cafebonappetit.com/ to see what’s available. Students with a meal plan may use their OneCards for admission for themselves and their guests.

Campus Center J. Frank Raley Great Room – OneCard, Cash or Credit Card Accepted

Friday

  • 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner

Saturday

  • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Brunch
  • 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Light Lunch
  • 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner

FOOD TRUCK HOURS

Grab some food from one of our local vendors.

Jamie L. Roberts Stadium, James P. Muldoon River Center

  • Saturday | 12 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Contact Us

Office of Events & Conferences

events@smcm.edu

(240) 895-3060