Hootenanny Weekend


  • Welcome
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • Go-Kart Races
  • FAQ

Hootenanny Weekend (April 9-10, 2027) 

Throughout our history, our students have put on a talent and variety show during the year.  In the mid-1960s, this student favorite became formalized as Hootenanny - a night of laughter, fun, and celebration - in which everything, from production to hosting to the talent and skits, is done by students. The tradition continues this year!

In addition to this night of laughter and fun, Hootenanny Weekend is an opportunity for students to have a blast before the final push to the end of the semester and for alumni, parents, and family to join us in celebrating student achievement and have a LOT of fun and making memories together as our students head into the final month of the semester.

 Albert's 2026 Photos

For information on hotels, food, and the campus store, see the FAQ tab above.

 


HOOTENANNY WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: 

 

 NEW: Hot Air Balloon Rides (Fri & Sat)

FAVORITE: Breakfast with the President (Fri, Apr 9)

 

 FAVORITE: Hootenanny Chapel (Fri, Apr 9)
A time of worship, hearing from guest speakers, and a sneak peak of Friday night's show! (Free, Open to the Public, )

 

 NEW: Prayer Time in Speer Chapel (Fri, Apr 9)
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ the historic Speer Chapel on campus and spend some time praying for our university and our Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ community.

 

FAVORITE: Academic Tours (Fri, Apr 9)

 

FAVORITE: Campus Tour with Dr. Terry Zeitlow ('87) (Fri, Apr 9)
Take this behind-the-scenes tour of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ with Dr. Terry Zeitlow, a 1987, record-holding athlete and our Vice President of Development and Alumni.  This tour will provide a look back at our past, a sense of our present, and an exciting look into what the future holds for the Christian Polytechnic University! 

 

FAVORITE: Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Yellow Jackets  (Fri & Sat, Apr 9-10)
Cheer on our Yellow Jackets in various Alumni & Conference games!!  Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Tennis & Alumni Rugby games (Free Admission, )

 

FAVORITE: Hootenanny Dinner on the Patio  (Fri, Apr 9)
Kick off the fun with local favorite food! Enjoy games on the Green! ($15/person includes meal)

 

TRADITION: Hootenanny Show (Fri, Apr 9) 
This variety and talent show has brought laughter, fun, and a RG-sized truck load of old and new memories! Don't miss this opportunity to kick back, laugh, and get a glimpse into the funnier moments of student life on campus. ($10/ticket; )

 

TRADITION: Go-Kart Races (Sat, Apr 10) 
After a 20+ year hiatus, the Go-Kart Races roared back onto campus in April 2022! From 1970-2000, teams of students built their own go-karts and raced them on-campus every Spring.  Alumni, students, and faculty-staff sponsored teams are invited to participate in this year's races! Join us for this year's races.  Want to race? Register your team via the

 

 

 

View Schedule

 

 


  

 

To begin your registration, please select the number of people in each category below that make up your group, then click "Continue" and register each individual for their desired events.  If you have any questions, please contact our Alumni Relations Team: 903-233-3840.

Need to make changes to your Hootenanny Weekend registration?
If so, click below:

TEST-tag

FRIDAY

Registration & check-in the Allen Family Student Center from 9:00am-4:00pm.

 NEW: Hot Air Balloon Rides | 7-9am | CPU Center building site (weather permitting)

Breakfast With The President | 8:30am-9:30am, Allen Family Student Center | $10 
Enjoy a cup of coffee and meet with Dr. Mason, as he shares on updates happening around campus, student life and the health of the university. 

 

Hootenanny Weekend Chapel | 10:35am, Belcher Center 
Hear from chapel speaker & Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Alumni. A time of worship and hearing from guest speakers. ()

 

Prayer Time in Speer Chapel | 11:45am-12:15pm, Speer Chapel
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ the historic Speer Chapel on campus and spend some time praying for our university and our Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ community.

 

Hootenanny Celebration Lunch | 12:00pm-1:15pm, Corner Cafe | Price Varies
The Weekend Celebration is coming to the Corner Cafe! Join us for lunch in the Corner Cafe amid the festivities of the weekend.

Alumni & Parent Meet and Greet | 2:00pm - 3:30pm, Allen Family Student Center

Join us for light refreshment and great conversation, as we connect as Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ family.

 

Academic Tours - Various Schools | 3:30pm

 

Campus Tour with Terry Zeitlow | 3:45pm, Allen Family Student Center
Ever wondered how we got to where we are or where we're headed as a university? Come get the insider tour of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ from Terry Zeitlow, a 1987 graduate and the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­.

 

LETU Yellow Jacket Athletics - Cheer on your Yellow Jackets! 

Volleyball Alumni Game, Free | 5:00pm, Solheim Center 

Baseball Game, Free | 7:00pm, Conrad-Vernon Field

 FAVORITE: Hootenanny Dinner on the Patio | 5:00-6:30pm | $15
Kick off the fun with Jucy's Hamburgers!

HOOTENANNY 2027 SHOW | 7:00pm, Belcher Center | $10
Join us for a night of laughter and memories as our student body put on this annual variety and talent show.  This is one event you don't want to miss! 

 Society Block Party | After Hootenanny Show, Society Houses
Students join in as the fun continues at the Society Block Party! Head over to Society Row after the Hootenanny Show. 

SATURDAY

Registration & check-in will be available at The Pond from 10:00AM- 12:45PM. 

Go-Kart Time Trials | 9:30-11:00am, (Finish Line: Machine Tool & Design Lab - MTDL) 

NEW:  Red River Robotics Tournament | 9:30am, Glaske Lobbies

Men's Soccer Alumni Game | 10:00am | Free, Soccer Fields

 NEW: Bioethics Seminar | 10:30-11:15am , Heath Hardwick Hall Room 104

Men's & Women's Alumni Rugby Game | 11:00 & 11:30am, South Field 

TRADITION: Picnic at the Pond | 11:30am-1:00pm, The Pavilion @ The Pond | $15 adult, $7.50 child
Join us for a lunch at the Pavilion for a local favorite, Bodacious BBQ and Shiver Sticks for dessert.

Women's Soccer Alumni Game | 12:00pm | Free, Soccer Fields

Baseball Game | 12:00pm Doubleheader | Free, Baseball Fields 

 FAVORITE: Go-Kart Finals | 2:00pm, Finish at Machine Tool & Design Lab (MTDL) | Free
Cheer on the student, alumni, and faculty-staff sponsored teams in this year's .  To register or find out more about the races, click on the Go-Karts tab (drop-down box if on mobile device) to find out more.

Night Sky Watch Party | 8:00pm | Basketball Pavilion

 Race Registration

To register for the Spring 2027 races:

  1. Register for Hootenanny Weekend ().
  2. When filling out the details for either a student an adult, click "Yes" under "Would you like to register for the Go Kart races?"
    NOTE: Only one individual registration required per team.
  3. When you submit your Hootenanny Weekend registration, your Go Kart registration will also be submitted.  

 

Questions? 

Contact Automotive Society President: Benjamin Vasquez (BenjaminVasquez@letu.edu).

 

 

Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. Feel free to reach out to our Alumni Office if you have questions that are not answered below (903-233-3840, alumni@letu.edu).

  1. I'm a parent of a current student.  Is Hootenanny Weekend for me?
    Yes! Hootenanny Weekend is an opportunity to join our students in laughing, making memories, and celebrating their accomplishments from this year.  Parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles are invited to join in the laughter and celebration.

  2. I'm an alumni.  Is Hootenanny Weekend for me?
    Yes! Hootenanny has been a memorable part of our time at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ for more than 50 years! In addition, this year marks the return of the Go-Kart races, with alumni invited to register a team and even bring back the go-kart from their student days to race in the Vintage Class.  In addition, alumni will have an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and stories of fellow alumni and our current students!

  3. How do I register for Hootenanny Weekend?
    Click on the "Registration" tab above (or select it from the drop-down menu on a mobile device).  You can then register for each individual in your group there. 

  4. I've registered, but need to make changes to my registration.  How do I do that? 
    You can use the edit link included in your confirmation email, to search for your registration and make changes, or give our Alumni Relations Team a call and we can help you make those changes over the phone (903-233-3840).

  5. What is the cost for attending Hootenanny Weekend?
    Most of the weekend's events are free.  Whether or not you are attending a paid event, please register so that we can plan for you and plan accordingly so that all can enjoy a great weekend together.  If you are not registering for any paid events, the registration process is automatically streamlined.

  6. Who can compete in Saturday's Go-Kart Races?
    Alumni, faculty, and students (and a mix of all three) are invited to participate in this year's Go-Kart Races.  Please see the rules and guidelines for the two classes of racing to ensure your kart will meet the requirements for participation.  Registration is required.  

  7. Can I eat in the Corner Cafe during the weekend?
    Yes! We'd love for you to enjoy a meal in the university dining hall, the Corner Cafe, throughout the weekend. 

  8. Will the Campus Store be open throughout the weekend?
    Yes! The Campus Store will be open on both Friday and Saturday. Stop by to pick-up a shirt, hoodie, a LETU Mom/Dad mug, or one of the other great LETU items. Alumni, as a thank you for attending Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, enjoy a 20% discount off your purchases.

  9. Does the university have a list of local hotel accommodation?
    Yes! Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ has secured special pricing at several hotels in Longview and surrounding areas. If you're staying at one of these properties, simply mention that you will be visiting Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ and would like the discount rate.

  10. What airports are nearby?
    While Gregg County Regional Airport is minutes from campus - and home to our Abbot Aviation Center - there are a number of airports within a few hours drive: Shreveport Regional Airport, Dallas Love Field, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and Houston's George Bush Airport.  Find out more information on these nearby airports and rental car options by clicking here.

Hootenanny 2026

Dr. Hoot