Five-Star Festival 2026

Know Before You Go

CHECK-IN & REGISTRATION 

Friday’s check-in and walk-up registration will be located in Elrod Commons on the main floor right outside of the University Bookstore from 8 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Your packet includes your nametag(s), an up-to-date schedule, and a campus map that has weekend locations starred. Click here to download the map. The Opening Assembly begins at 4:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, the lower level of Elrod Commons. Saturday’s check-in and walk-up registration will be located in the same location from 9 a.m. until Noon. We encourage you to check the back of your nametag for a coupon from the University Bookstore.  

TRANSPORTATION 

Friday, September 18 

  • 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Shuttle Service to/from the Hampton Inn, The Residence Inn by Marriott, and The Wingate to campus; drop-off at The Quad (along Washington Street across from Childress Hall, the new Williams School building) 

Saturday, September 19  

  • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Shuttle Service to/from the Hampton Inn, The Residence Inn by Marriott and The Wingate to campus; drop-off at The Quad (along Washington Street across from Childress Hall, the new Williams School building.) 

  • 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Shuttle Service to/from the Hampton Inn, The Residence Inn by Marriott, and The Wingate to campus; drop-off at Memorial Gate Plaza (along Jefferson St.) 

  • 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Shuttle Service from Memorial Gate Plaza to The Livery (downtown Lexington).  

  • 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Shuttle Service from The Livery (downtown Lexington) to the Hampton Inn, The Residence Inn by Marriott, and The Wingate. 

On-campus parking is also available in the parking deck behind the Duchossois Athletic and Recreation Center. 

FIVE-STAR FESTIVAL GROUP PHOTOS  

Group photos will be taken outside in the plaza in front of University Chapel immediately preceding the Celebration of Life Ceremony on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. sharp. In the event of inclement weather, photos will be taken inside the Chapel. 

SPECIAL SATURDAY PROGRAMMING NOTE 

  • Milestone Afternoon Class Gathering: Reunion classes of 1971, 1966, and 1961 will gather for a casual afternoon gathering at Hotchkiss Alumni House, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Enjoy the afternoon with your classmates to reminisce and reconnect.  

  • Non-reunion classes are encouraged to visit Café ’77 for a complimentary afternoon treat. 

WEATHER 

We know better than to make a forecast. Things change very quickly here in the Shenandoah Valley, especially in the fall! Please check the weather before you leave. 

Check Lexington Weather

ATTIRE 

Dress for most of the weekend is informal or business casual; however, most class members will wear jackets and ties/dresses and pantsuits for the Friday evening Opening Assembly and Welcome Reception and on Saturday for the Class Photo and Celebration of Life Service. All other times, golf shirts, sweaters, blouses, button-downs, and slacks/casual pants are appropriate. Your spouses and guests should dress accordingly. We encourage dressing in layers, packing a jacket and/or raincoat. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended; high heels can be tricky on the brick sidewalks and/or the grass. 

CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION 

We encourage you to explore campus while you are here. Please be mindful of active construction sites including the Founders Hall project (corner of Washington Street and Lee Avenue), renovations to Lee House, infrastructure updates near Graham-Lees Residence Hall, Holekamp Hall and Huntley Hall, and construction on Cannan Green.

Click here to read the latest spring update on campus construction projects.