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Little Hornets Day Combines Fun and Football Game Experience at Emporia State

by Gwendolynne Larson

Emporia, KS (10/07/2025) — Young Hornets and their families are invited to enjoy a FREE day of special activities on the Emporia State campus followed by tailgating and attending the ESU football game in Welch Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Little Hornets Day is designed for youths age 2 through 12 and their families.

The Fun Fair of indoor activities will give way to the outdoor game day experience that begins with Hornet Walk across campus followed by the Live at the Hive Tailgate and the game.

The day is free, which includes general admission to the football game for kids and their family members. Food trucks will have food to purchase during the tailgate. Here is the full schedule of the day:

  • Little Hornets Fun Fair, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., Memorial Union second floor. Activities include:
    • Arrive by 9 a.m. for a special appearance of the ESU football team!
    • Minecraft with ESU Esports
    • Enjoy a movie with popcorn included!
    • Superfan station with temporary tattoos, stickers, hair tinsel and face painting
    • Backyard Bass teaches how to cast a fishing pole and practice catching "fish"
    • Nature Craft sponsored by Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center
    • Scavenger Hunt sponsored by ESU Library and Archives
    • Football FANs craft project
    • Football toss sponsored by the Emporia Public Library
    • NFL Matching Game to pair professional teams with their mascots and logos
  • Hornet Walk, 10 a.m.
    • After gathering in Webb Hall, head outside to line the route between Memorial Union and Welch Stadium to cheer on the ESU Marching Hornets band and spirit teams plus the ESU football team.
  • Tailgate experience, Visser Hall parking lot, 10:30 a.m. Join other fans to catch the game day vibe:
    • Enjoy disc golf with the ESU disc golf team and student recreation center
    • Hype music with a DJ
    • Bounce house
    • Photo station
    • Yard games
    • Food trucks - Chick-Fil-A and Lazy Butt BBQ will have food and drinks for sale.
    • Note: Newman Regional Health will have a pop-up station for nursing mothers inside Visser Hall.
  • Football game kick-off, 1 p.m. Welch Stadium.
    • The ESU Hornets will take on the Lions of Missouri Southern

Registration for the event is required: emporia.link/littlehornetsday

All Little Hornets will receive a complimentary drawstring bag with free swag that can be used at Live at the Hive. For more information, see emporia.link/little-hornets-day-2025

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.

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