Gator Nation’s largest student-run pep rally is back!

Get hyped!

Chomp for Charity 5k: 5:30 on September 26th at First Magnitude 

Leadership Pageant: 6:00 on October 9th at the University Auditorium 

Soulfest: 6:30 on October 10 at the Reitz Grand Ballroom

Festival: 9-12 on October 17 at Plaza of the Americas 

Gator Gallop: 10:30 on October 17 starting at Plaza of the Americas

Parade: 12:00 on October 17th on from Museum and 13th to University, down University to Main St

Good Times & Great Events

August 17 – 22, 2025

The Great Gator Welcome is your official kick-off to the Fall semester. From August 17 – 22, campus departments and student organizations will host events with opportunities for you to meet new people, get connected to the Gator student experience, explore campus and just have fun!

Stay up-to-date with all the events at @ufstudentengage on Instagram!

Trivia Night

August 17 | Reitz Union Grand Ballroom | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Doors Open at 6 

Grab some friends and join us for a fun night of trivia! Put your knowledge to the test with a mix of questions for a chance to win some prizes! Whether you’re in it to win or just for the laughs, it’s sure to be a great time!

Great Gator Coffee Hour

August 18 | Student Engagement Portal | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Swing by the Student Engagement Portal for coffee, pastries, and a little recharge! Join us for crafts, games, and the chance to connect with campus partners. Fuel up and connect with us then!

Speed Friending

August 19 | Honors Village | 5 – 8 p.m. 

Rain Location: Reitz Union

Come check out Speed Friending—a fun and easy way to meet new people! You’ll go through a few rounds of five-minute conversations to break the ice. After that, stick around to play games, hang out with your new friends, and enjoy some light refreshments!

Freshman Kickoff

August 20 | Gator Walk | 3 – 5 p.m. 

Rain Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the student orgs on campus, Freshman Kickoff is the perfect opportunity! Chat with organization leaders, learn how to get involved, and enjoy some light refreshments while you explore. Don’t forget to pick up your class shirt if you haven’t already—just in time to head over to Convocation!

Convocation

August 20 | O’Connell Center | 4:30 p.m. 

Freshman Convocation is a special tradition that marks the official start of your college journey. It’s a time to come together with your class, hear from campus leaders, and celebrate the beginning of this exciting new chapter!

Class of 2029 Photo

August 20 | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | 7 p.m. 

Once Convocation wraps up, make your way to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to take part in the Class of 2029 photo! It’s a memorable tradition you won’t want to miss as you officially kick off your time at UF.

ACCENT Show with Bryan Cranston

August 21 | O’Connell Center | Doors open at 6 p.m., Event starts at 7 p.m. 

The Accent Speakers Bureau is the largest student-run speakers bureau in the nation, bringing influential figures like Ke Huy Quan, John Green, Barbara Corcoran, Tim Tebow, and now Bryan Cranston to campus for engaging talks and student-led Q&As.

GatorNights

August 22 | Reitz Union | 7 – 10 p.m. 

GatorNights is the University of Florida’s premier late-night event series held on Fridays at the Reitz Union, offering free entertainment like movies, live performances, crafts, games, and food to create a vibrant and safe social space for students.

Congratulations to our 2025 graduates! This spring we have our own Zach Cline walking across the stage at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Sunday, May 4th.

CJC Graduate Recognition Ceremony

Graduation Information: 

• Ceremony Date and Time: Sunday, May 4, 9 – 11 a.m. 
• Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
• Candidate Assembly: Gate 4 will open for candidates at 7:30 a.m. Candidates are required to wear regalia.
• Guest Admission: Gates 1 and 3 will open for guests at 7:30 a.m. 
• Tickets: We will not ticket this recognition ceremony nor restrict the number of guests-per-candidate.
• Contact: CJC Ceremony Coordination Team, graduation@jou.ufl.edu
• Reception: at Weimer Hall following the ceremony
• Livestream: Link for CJC Ceremony

Gator Market is a monthly outdoor market held on the Reitz Union North Lawn at UF during the spring and fall semesters. The event brings together a variety of vendors—from local and student-owned businesses to university departments and student organizations.

Attendees can explore a wide selection of offerings, including clothing, handmade goods, plants, jewelry, art, and food, making it a convenient and lively stop between classes.

Located in the heart of campus, Gator Market offers a casual, open-air shopping experience that celebrates creativity, community, and campus life.

Next Market Date has been canceled due to weather. We hope to see you again in the Fall!

For more information, visit https://union.ufl.edu/gatormarket/

It’s time to show your gator pride! This weekend is going to be full of some great Homecoming events for both the Gator Nation and the local community. Below is some information about activities so you can be sure to make the most of this homecoming season!

Friday, October 18th

Gator Gallop

A 2.2 mile run around UF campus. Check-ins start at 8:30 am at Plaza of the Americas.

Sign-ups can be found here: https://www.gatorgrowl.org/gatorgallop

Festival

Community and Campus event with fun vendors and activities. Located at Plaza of the Americas starting at 10:30 am.

Parade

Starting at 12pm, many student organizations and sponsors will be part of the annual Homecoming parade! You can watch the parade on TV or from 13th St & University Avenue. Come show your support!

Gator Growl

Stephen C. O’Connell Center at 6pm!

Come check out headliner Dustin Lynch performing at the O-dome featuring Southbound 441, an award-winning student band! Tickets and more information can be found at the link below.

https://www.gatorgrowl.org

Saturday October 19th

Homecoming Football Game

Versus Kentucky in the swamp!

The game will start at 7:45 pm on Saturday so be sure to grab your tickets.

Come join the College of Journalism and Communications as we take on the College of Health & Human Performance for the eighth annual paper airplane challenge! This contest supports UF’s Campaign for Charities and will be judged by former Gator football legend, Steve Spurrier. Make sure to make your donation towards the big CJC win!

Important Note: There is a $5 donation fee for all contest participants.

When: October 17 from 10 am – 11 am

Where: Weimer Hall Atrium

More Info: https://calendar.ufl.edu/event/39541-game-on-cjc-vs-hhp-uf-campaign-for-charities-paper-air

UF Dining Halls Hurricane Hours

Weather Updates

How to prepare

Southwest Recreation Center on UF campus to open as a storm shelter for UF affiliates

What: Storm shelter for UF affiliates

Where: Southwest Recreation Center, 3150 Hull Road, Gainesville

When: 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9. 

To gain entry, UF affiliates must bring the following items: 

• GatorONE card or Mobile GatorONE for identification.

Other supplies to consider include: 

• Bedding materials, including an air mattress or mat. UF does not provide bedding to shelter guests.
• Reading material or board games.
• Cell phone, a tablet or laptop with charged batteries and chargers.
• Prescription medications.

Uber to Shelters

Alachua County has opened three shelters in anticipation of Hurricane Milton making landfall. The county is offering free Uber rides up to $35 to and from shelters for those in need.

Residents can use promo code “ rYb19PkolMp ” or go to UberAlachua.

The following locations will be open on Wednesday, October 9th:

Dining Halls

• The Food Hall at Gator Corner & The Eatery at Broward Hall: 9 am-3 pm; offering continuous service
• One meal swipe or door rate ($9.30 breakfast, $11.40 lunch, $12.00 dinner for non-meal plan holders – credit/debit/declining balance/flex); dine-in and take-out available
• Students will be able to take shelf-stable items for their dinner meal at no additional charge (e.g. cereal, granola bars, whole fruit, sliced bread, peanut butter, jelly, cheez-its, etc.)

Markets

• Graham and Rawlings: 10am-3pm

Thursday, October 10th:

Dining Halls

• The Food Hall at Gator Corner & The Eatery at Broward Hall: 12 pm – 8 pm; offering continuous service.
• One meal swipe or door rate ($9.30 breakfast, $11.40 lunch, $12.00 dinner for non-meal plan holders – credit/debit/declining balance/flex); dine-in and take-out available.

Markets

• Graham and Rawlings: 10 am – 6 pm.

Alachua County Sandbag Locations

Report Home and Property Damage/ Report Unment Needs

Alachua County Special Needs Registry

Shelters/ Pet-Friendly Shelters/ Free Uber Rides

Waste Collection Delays

Closures

Alachua County government offices closed Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10, 2024

City of Gainesville: Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10.

The State Department of Health in Alachua County: closing at noon on Tuesday, October 8, and all day on Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10.

The University of Florida: Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10.
Alachua County Public Schools and School Board: Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10.

Alachua County Libraries: Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10.
City of Waldo: closing noon on Wednesday, October 9, and all day on Thursday, October 10.

County By County Emergency & Non Emergency Numbers

County By County Non Emergency Hotlines 

Alachua

Alachua County Rumor Control Line
352-264-6557

Local Emergency Information
311 (only when activated)

Alachua County Emergency Management
352-264-6500
email: acem@alachuacounty.us

Gainesville Emergency Management
352-334-5078 (non-emergency)

Gainesville Police Department
352-955-1818 (non-emergency)
911 (emergency)

Gainesville Fire Rescue
352-334-5078 (non-emergency)
911 (emergency)

Public Works (downed trees, blocked roads, flooding, sandbags)
352-393-8161
email: pubwrk@gainesvillefl.gov

Debris Removal (Solid Waste)
352-334-2330

GRU Customer Service
352-334-3434

Power Outages, Emergencies and Downed Power Lines
352-334-2871

Natural Gas Service Emergencies
352-334-2550 or 911

Water and Wastewater Service Emergencies
352-334-2711

Red Cross (North Central Florida Chapter)
352-376-4669

RTS
352-334-2600

Marion County

To Report Damage to homes in City of Ocala

352-629-8421

To Report Damage to homes in Marion County

352-620-7422

Down Power Lines:

GRU: 352-334-2871

Ocala Electric Utility: 352-351-6666

Clay Electric: 888-434-9844

Central Florida Electric Cooperative: 352-493-2511

Duke Energy: 800-228-8485

Sumter Electric: 800-732-6141

SECO: 352-237-4107

Withlacoochee River Electric Company: 32-567-5133

Non Emergency Number  

352-732-9111

Non Emergency Questions

352-369-6807

Citizens Information Line

352-369-7500

Marion County: contact the correct source for power issues

Residents reporting power outages or requesting power restoration status updates should contact their power companies directly. The contact information for power companies servicing Marion County is as follows: Clay Electric: 1-888-434-9844
Duke Energy: 800-228-8485
Ocala Electric: 352-351-6666

Ocala Sanitation Hotline: 352-351-6696

Fire & Rescue

(352) 291-8000

Marion County Police Departments

Dunnellon District Office

352-402-6050

Main Operations Department

352-732-8181

Marion Oaks District Office

352-402-6030

Northeast District Office

352-402-6010

North-Multi District Office

352-438-5920

Ocklawaha District Office

352-402-6020

Silver Springs

352-687-6000

South Marion District Office (The Villages)

352-671-3841

South Multi District Office

352-438-5940

Southwest District Office

352-402-6060

Marion County Utilities

352-307-6000

Levy County

Levy County Non Emergency

352-486-5213

Levy County Emergency

352-486-5155 and 352-486-5576

Gilchrist County

Gilchrist County Non Emergency

386-935-5400

Gilchrist County Emergency

352-463-3198

Gilchrist County Sheriff

352-463-3410

Gilchrist Fire Rescue

386-935-5400

Gilchrist County Emergency

352-463-3198

Trenton

Trenton Public Safety

352-463-4000

Putnam County

Putnam County Sheriff

386-329-0800

Putnam County Emergency Management

386-326-2793

Putnam County Recorded Information Line

386-326-7132

Crescent City

Crescent City Emergency Information

• Shelters (including pet friendly)
• Power Outage Maps (Florida Power & Clay Electric)
• Evacuation Zones
• Putnam Emergency Alert System

Bradford County

Bradford County Emergency Management 

904-966-6910

Bradford County Emergency Operations Center

904-966-6300

Bradford Combined District Center

904-966-6161

Dixie County

Dixie County Fire Rescue

352-498-1240

Dixie County Emergency Operation Center

352-498-1240

Dixie County Emergency Management Director

352-498-1240

Dixie County Public Works

Road Department

352-498-1239

Solid Waste & Recycling

352-498-1239

Suwannee County

Suwannee Water & Sewer District

352-542-7570

Suwanee Valley Electric Cooperative

• To report a power outage or downed lines, call (800)752-0025

• An outage map is available at http://outages.svec-coop.com

Lafayette County

Lafayette County Non Emergency 

386-294-1301

Lafayette County Utilities

• Natural gas emergencies: 1-800-432-4770

Duke Energy

• To report a power outage or downed line, call (800)-228-8485.

An outage map is available at http://outagemap.duke-energy.com/fl/m.html

Rumor Control

• Lafayette County Emergency Management: Call 294-1950

State Assistance Information Line

1-800-342-3557

Join GHQ and RecSports at RecStravaganza coming up Tuesday, August 26th from 6-8pm at the Southwest Rec UVS Complex!

Dive into the world of RecSports and discover all the awesome services and programs they offer. Whether you’re looking to join one of their 50+ sports clubs or snag some exclusive RecStravaganza swag like free t-shirts and bucket hats, this event is your one-stop-shop for all things wellness and fun! 

Don’t miss the chance to paddle over to the CORE building right across the street, where you can learn about and register for upcoming adventure trips.

Grab your friends, ride the wave of excitement, and surf into a year full of adventure with RecSports. We can’t wait to see you there!

Everyday from 4-6 pm GHQ is home to Gainesville’s best entertainment with AJ & Jess. With everything from Campus News to Pop news, Florida Man stories and Tier List Tuesday’s you don’t wanna miss the fun! They love interactions, talk to them through our instagram @GHQFM, or through our open mic on our GHQ app!

Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 6 to 10 p.m.

University of Florida Bandshell at Flavet Field

Gainesville

Keep up with the action on social media using the hashtag #Fanfares24. Enjoy an evening of live music and spectacular fireworks presented by WUFT-TV, WUFT-FM and WUFT Classic.

WUFT-FM Morning Edition and WUFT Amplified host Glenn Richards will serve as emcee for the event.

Musical groups include:

• 6 p.m. – The Late Night Losers
• 7 p.m. – Buko Boys
• 8 p.m. – Madwoman
• 9 p.m. – Gainesville Community Band and the Gainesville “POPS” under the direction of Jay Watkins

The fireworks by Skylighters of Florida will begin at approximately 9:40 p.m.

For safety reasons, no dogs, sparklers, drones or alcohol are allowed at the event. Coolers are allowed, but may be subject to search by the University of Florida Police Department.

Confirmed Food Trucks (as of June 17):

• Fat Gs
• Bz Gelati
• Mayflower
• Vegan Gator
• Big Island Bowls
• Honey Nitro + Cold Brew Coffee

PBS Kids Zone

The PBS Kids Zone will be a special child-friendly area accommodating local businesses and organizations who will provide educational and hands-on learning activities at different stations. A Daniel Tiger Trolley for pictures and PBS Kids educational materials and activities will be available.

Location:

Flavet Field at the University of Florida, 605 Woodlawn Drive, Gainesville.

Title Sponsor of WUFT’s Fanfares & Fireworks

Title Sponsor of WUFT’s PBS Kids Zone

Fireworks Show Presenting Sponsor

Special Thanks to our Premiere Supporting Sponsors

Additional Sponsorships are Available

Contact Sandy Wagner at slwagner@wuft.org.

About the Performers

The Late Night Losers

The Late Night Losers are a Gainesville, Florida-based indie rock band formed in 2021. Comprising lead singer Thomas Allain, guitarist Jacob Weldon, and drummer Wilson Gaberino, the Losers craft what they call “sentimental indie groove rock”. Their sonic signature is characterized by infectious melodies and earnest storytelling—these losers wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Inspired by their favorite genre-benders: Death Cab for Cutie, Hippo Campus, The Black Keys, and Manchester Orchestra, The Late Night Losers have crafted their own unique musical identity that could have only been forged in the swampy student apartments of the University of Florida and birthed in the backyards of college rental-house ragers.

Working alongside renowned music producer Dan Hannon, the band has refined their sound, reaching new heights with their double single At the End of the Road (2023). Despite their recent formation, The Late Night Losers have made waves, captivating audiences throughout the southeast with their electrifying and dynamic live performances. The future holds an ever-growing fanbase for these Losers and an upcoming debut EP that showcases their talent and artistic growth.

Buko Boys

After having earned a degree in Neurobiology from UC Davis, singer-songwriter Raquel Lily pivoted from a career in medicine and instead, pioneered the Music category on Twitch. The self-produced bedroom artist explores the sonic space with keyboardist/producer Mart and drummer, Jonathan Ziegler. Together, they deliver dreamy bossa nova vibes with an indie-pop flair. A spin-off of their band, Raquel Lily, the newly evolved project, Buko Boys, command a unique experience with their sun-kissed island groove and feel-good bops.

With roots in the Philippines and hailing from Miami, FL, Buko Boys continue to build a global community while touring the United States with band members: aron! (guitar) and Aidan McCarthy (bass).

MADWOMAN

MADWOMAN’s roots trace back to 2014 as an ethereal garage funk soul trio, and they have since blossomed their sound into a five-piece psychedelic alternative-indie pop machine. With members Leni Luna (vocals), Chandler McFarland (guitar), Riley Sechrest (bass), Samuel Arnold (guitar/keys), and Unmil Patel (drums), the electric synergy and story behind their music will soon far outreach Florida’s borders.

Infused in a kaleidoscopic dreamscape of modern ferver, Leni’s soul-filled angelic voice rings out in cathartic release, leaving the band and fans alike mesmerized and ever present. The MADWOMAN name came about in the ponderings of what it means to live a life both dynamic and fulfilling – attracting fans who are also mad to love and mad to live. The band transmutes their energy and takes the crowd with them in ascending into a space for healing, growth, and connection.

The “Make the Moment” EP is really the beginning of the journey for MADWOMAN. In August 2021 they won the Fall MusicGNV Recording Grant and used the studio time to record four original songs, including “Unfold” and “Strething Thin”, that were written amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic.

MADWOMAN was complete in January 2022 with the addition of Riley, while simultaneously joining the Swamp Records community. With the EP and newer singles like “Nowhere To Run”, “Inside My Head”, and “IDK” available on all streaming platforms, the band has amassed over 65k streams and nearly three thousand monthly listeners on Spotify alone. The group has since headlined a multitude of shows, hosted wildly successful release parties, performed at several music festivals (most notably Okeechobee Music Festival), and created a tech-driven experience for their audience. Their strong, engaging presence during performances is their forte, and that has allowed them to quickly grow their fanbase and appeal with live shows in Orlando, Tampa Bay, Miami, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Melbourne and more.