Parade, Open Barracks, Football and More!
- 0730: Pre-sold Parent’s Day t-shirt and tote bag pickup and new sales – Second Floor of Mark Clark Hall (until 1PM – will break for Parade)
- 0800: Band Barracks Rooms (only) open for Parents
- 0830: Regimental Pipe Band parades through the Barracks
- 0830: Barracks Open to all our guests
- 0945: Rifle Legion Performance – Padgett-Thomas Quad
- 0955: Freshmen Letter Presentation Ceremony (Company Areas)
- 1015: Barracks closed to visitors
- 1100: Dress Parade
- 1145: Lunch – See details below
- 1300: Cadet Formation and March to the Stadium
- 1400: Kickoff – Go Dogs! Beat ETSU! Click here to get your tickets
Additional Information
Overview
Parents’ Weekend is packed full of activities designed to show you some of the time-honored traditions of The Citadel and make you proud of the work your cadet has been doing! Without prior planning, you could find yourself running from one end of campus to the other on Saturday. It is important to plan with your family what you will do that day – especially in the morning. Sunday will be a much slower pace.
Arrive Early
On campus, parking will be difficult, so show up early to beat the crowd.
- Starbucks and Chick-Fil-A will open at 0700.
- Public Safety may close campus to traffic around 0900 because there are no more places to park.
Morning Events
- 0800: Barracks open for Band families, since members of the Band have very little time to spend with their families due to other duties that morning.
- 0830: Open Barracks for all parents and families. This is a great time for your Cadet to show you their room and share some of their stories. Also, listen for the bagpipes as they make their way through each battalion.
Before you leave their room, plan where to meet after parade and remind them to call if they get delayed or decide to change the plan!
- 0945: The Citadel Rifle Legion will perform on the Second Battalion Quad. They serve as an ambassador at events throughout the southeast.
- 0955: Freshmen parents, the Freshmen Letter Presentation Ceremony will take place in the respective company areas. They will be promoted from cadet recruit to cadet private.
- ~1015: After the Letter Presentation Ceremony, the barracks will close to allow the cadets to prepare for parade. As you find your place to watch the parade, remember, if you were looking at the Parade Field from Padgett-Thomas Barracks, the companies will march to their positions from left to right left starting with the Band then alphabetically across the Parade Field. Also, while you are waiting, enjoy the Carillon Concert coming from Thomas Dry Howie Tower next to the Chapel. This is one of the largest Dutch bell installations in the Western Hemisphere with bells ranging in size from 25 to 4,400 pounds. Click here to find out more about our carillon.
- 1100: The Dress Parade. Highlights of this parade include the Freshmen Cadets joining the Corps and a Jeep Review of the Corps by General McKenzie, the Regimental Commander and the Regimental Commander’s parents who represent all parents and families! The Parade should be over by 1145.
Lunch Planning
- After Parade your cadet(s) will have to drop off their rifles and meet you for a quick lunch.
- With a mandatory formation at 1300 – for a 1400 kickoff, cadets may find it easier to grab a bite at Coward Hall without their family.
- Lunch Options (pre-pay required- we will provide a link here and on the Portal once details are finalized)
- The Citadel Family Association BBQ: Second floor of Mark Clark Hall.
- Coward Hall: eat lunch where your cadet eats each day. Band families can eat upstairs since their cadets need to leave early.
- Deas Hall: We will provide Turkey, Ham and Vegetarian Box lunches options.
- CAA BBQ Buffett at the HAC: BBQ buffet across from the stadium.
- If you Pre-Order your lunches, we will have lists with your name at the entrance to each location.
The Football Game!
- 1315: At approximately 1315 the Regimental Band will lead the Corps to the Stadium. They stop by the HAC enroute to help people get in the mood to cheer on the “Dogs”.
- 1330: The remainder of the Corps will march via Hagood Avenue to the field. After your cadet’s company has passed, head into the stadium to watch the Corps take the field and render honors to our nation and our guests.
- 1400: Kickoff of The Citadel/ETSU football game! Click here to order tickets.
- The Summerall Guards are scheduled to perform at halftime.
- After the game: Cadets are authorized leave following the game. The Commandant and Regimental Commander will announce any changes to the leave policy at the end of the game.
Make sure you take care of yourselves so you can enjoy the time with your cadet (comfortable clothes and shoes, bug spray, sunscreen, hydration).
We hope you have a GREAT Day!
General Leave
Typical general Leave for those not authorized to take an overnight:
- Upperclassmen: after the game until 0100
- Freshmen: after the game until Midnight
Note: these times may change based on the Commandant’s and Regimental Commander’s assessment of how loud the cadets and families cheer during the game!