Updated event will now feature homecoming theme and elements for alumni

Registration Form (PDF Fillable)

Registration Form (PDF Printable)

Updated Event Flyer (PDF)

 “For 20 years the Shore has enjoyed the ESCC Heritage Celebration on campus in Melfa. We’re excited to bring back this great tradition with some brand-new twists and an updated look based on feedback from our community.” This from organizer, ESCC Marketing and Development Officer Bill LeCato who shares that the event has moved to September 23rd this year, from 10am-3pm, and will now include new features for ESCC alumni, as well as an expanded palette of local interest items. 

“As COVID loosened its grip, the college was very interested in bringing the event back based on the input of participants and visitors.” LeCato continued, “We didn’t want to assume there wasn’t a better way to present it in today’s world, so we conducted surveys both online and in-person, and received a significant amount of feedback that pointed to a fall event and also one with increased outdoor engagement.” 

Attendees will certainly recognize and enjoy Heritage staples with an abundance of local artists, crafters, and community groups. LeCato shared that “the event continues the tradition of celebrating ‘all things Eastern Shore’ and we’re looking forward to incorporating the homecoming theme into the mix as well.” 

Free spaces are being offered on the campus grounds with entry forms available at the college and online at es.vccs.edu. A limited number of “spotlight spaces” have been made available indoors in the atrium area of both buildings on the college campus. These are $75 each with proceeds supporting scholarships.  Registration deadline is August 31st.

The Heritage and Homecoming Celebration will feature a variety of food offerings, along with featured live music (artists TBA), a corn hole tournament, and many exhibits inside and outside on campus. In addition to classroom demonstrations and Shore history features, LeCato shared “we’re excited to welcome the popular local Facebook Group ‘Shoreborn’ with a number of displays reflecting unique slices of Eastern Shore yesteryears and culture.” 

LeCato added that alumni will be a focal point of the rebooted event. “ESCC is excited to be working on a number of efforts to bring together our alumni base and with the new homecoming theme, former students will be excited to hear about some of our ideas that will be coming to fruition at the event, and in the future!” One such item will be the special dedication ceremony for beloved former ESCC instructor, the late Robin Rich-Coates. Coates passed away in May 2022, and was a huge proponent of this event through the years. Her former students are encouraged to attend as a special memorial tree and plaque will be unveiled in her honor. 

Willie Crockett will also be honored at the event with a classroom dedicated to some of his work with participation from his family. A long-time participant, Crockett is also represented in the hallways at ESCC with a beautiful Shore mural that was removed from the original academic building and re-installed in the new facility before it opened in early 2020. 

Local car and truck groups are encouraged to reach out about showing on September 23rd as well. “We have a generous space on our campus to accommodate these beautiful vehicles and invite clubs to contact us”. LeCato noted interested participants can email wlecato@es.vccs.edu. The Peninsula Tractor Organization is one group already signed up to attend with antique tractors and farm equipment. 

ESCC President Dr. Jim Shaeffer noted that “we’re so excited to welcome our community back on campus for the latest version of the Heritage Celebration. The fact that is it back with the invaluable support of public input, and is evolving into an alumni celebration as well, makes it a great showcase for ESCC in our mission to be the community hub of the Shore!” 

As additional details are announced through the summer months, everyone is encouraged to watch the ESCC social media pages and the webpage at es.vccs.edu for updates and details.