Clemson’s annual Welcome Back Festival, a popular event for four decades, drew a huge crowd of new and returning students to College Avenue the evening of Monday, August 17, 2026, two days before the start of the fall semester. The free event, sponsored by the Clemson Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Council, began in 1985 and, over the past 41 years, was cancelled only two years – in 2020, due to the Covid pandemic, and in 2021, due to a tropical storm. The event benefits the Student Alumni Council Scholarship Endowment Fund.

College Avenue was blocked off to vehicular traffic from Highway 93 to Keith Street, open only to pedestrian traffic. Free parking was available after 5 p.m. in the Keith Street parking garage, accessible from College Avenue. Many students also walked from campus. Vendors’ booths of businesses and community organizations lined both sides of College Avenue, with free items available, including food and cleaning supplies and t-shirts. Tickets were also available for purchase in order to buy items from vendors. Despite the high temperatures and heat index, College Avenue was inundated with students excited to either be back in Clemson or to be in Clemson for the first time for their freshman year.

The Apostles, a local rock and roll band based in Clemson, took to the stage and opened the event by performing several songs for the crowd.

During the band’s intermission, Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre welcomed the crowd to the festival. “I know it’s a little hot, but it’s still great to have everybody back,” he said. “You see the new streetscape that’s going on right now. Hopefully, you’re enjoying the wider streets. You will enjoy trees later on this fall. We will have 25 plus trees.

“Again, welcome to Clemson. If the City of Clemson can do anything for you, let us know.” He encouraged the students to keep up with the City of Clemson’s calendar and Clemson University’s calendar.

Mayor Halfacre then introduced Clemson University’s new President, Dr. Benjamin Ayers. “Let’s give him a very warm welcome, and let’s give him a round of applause. Please welcome him and his family to our community. We’re very thankful to have them.”

“Good evening, and Go, Tigers,” said President Ayers. “We are thrilled to be here. I’ve been looking forward to this event for a long time. First, let me thank Mayor Halfacre for the great work that you do in the city of Clemson. This is truly a great partnership between the university and the city. We’re so proud to be a part of it and truly to have that one Clemson spirit. I want to also thank the businesses that are here, always going above and beyond. Thank you for your support of this event.” He also thanked the Clemson Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Council for planning the event. “This is a great fun and charitable event each year,” he said. “Also, please let me share a special thank you to this year’s Student Alumni Council advisors, Aly Friend and Stewart Summers, for their hard work. Please join me in thanking them.

“Your attendance tonight and your donations are really important for us as we build scholarships to allow more students to attend this great university. So, thank you so much for your support of this event.

“I hope everyone has a great start to the school year. Enjoy this festival, and please join me in welcoming our outstanding women’s basketball coach, Coach Shawn Poppie.”

Coach Poppie took to the stage and yelled, “Go, Tigers!” to fire up the crowd. “I couldn’t be more excited to be here with you guys,” he said. “Welcome home. For you newbies, this place is special. For you returners, I’m hoping you feel that and couldn’t wait to get back. It’s an unbelievably warm day, but what a turnout with all our Tigers.

“I’m here as your Clemson women’s basketball coach. We had a heck of a year last year — 21 wins, NCAA tournament — and we ain’t stopping now. Part of what’s built us is you guys. We have to do our job, but we also need you guys to come support us. We’re in Littlejohn. We open up our season November 2. Come out, be loud, be proud. We can’t wait to make you guys proud as we turn to another year to have an extraordinary season and to hopefully get a deeper run in the NCAA tournament.

“To all of you out there, welcome home. I look forward to seeing you out in the community and on campus here in the fall semester. We’ll see you in Littlejohn in early November. Go, Tigers.”

Next, the crowd enjoyed a performance by the Tiger Pep band and cheerleaders, with featured Tiger Twirler Sophia Lutz.

The Apostles took to the stage once more and entertained the crowd for the rest of the evening.