NECC Students enjoy inflatable jousting at last year’s Homecoming.

Fall fun is just around the corner at this year’s Homecoming. For the second year in a row, Northern Essex Community College will host the event, on Saturday, Oct. 13, on the Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St. Homecoming is free and open to the public.

The day begins with NECC’s 6th Annual Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, and will continue until 3 p.m., offering a variety of fun for all ages. This year’s events include a beer garden, cornhole, kanjam, a pop-up shop by “The Color Mint” boutique, a pie eating contest, children’s events, pumpkin decorating, and more.

Professor Mike Cross, who will be hosting a show called “Magic and Mysteries,” said, “There will be lots of audience participation and we will explore the overlap of science and illusion. Sometimes our brains pick up on things that our eyes miss. Other times a clever illusion can exploit the shortcuts our brain uses to understand the world around us.”

Staff members Lindsay Graham and Tia Roy at the first annual Homecoming

Free entertainment will include a bouncy house, balloon animals, face painting, a caricature artist, slime making, inflatable jousting, “Touch-a-Truck” event for kids, and a pie eating contest.

The Campus Classic 5K begins at 10 a.m. and food and beverages will be open for service at 11 a.m., right after the awards ceremony. Newburyport Brewing, Hodgies Too, Lucky’s pizza and Kona Ice are just a few of the vendors that will be open for business.

Both the Alumni Home Run Derby as well as the NECC Baseball Alumni Game will take place on the NECC baseball field, followed by NECC’s Women’s Volleyball game vs. Bunker Hill Community College, which will start at noon in the gym of the Sports & Fitness Center.

Those interested in registering for the 5K are asked to register online, by visiting the college website. You do not need to register to attend Homecoming.

For additional information contact Mary Murphy, research analyst, Office of the Vice President of Administration and Finance, (978)-556-3918 or mmurphy1@necc.mass.edu.