The Celebration

The inauguration ceremony culminates with a lively, street-festival-style fair open to everyone in the UF community outside the Phillips Center in the Cultural Plaza.

Guests not registered for the ceremony can gather as early as 2:30 p.m., when a big screen in the Cultural Plaza will broadcast it live.

When the ceremony ends by 4 p.m., the festivities officially begin with two stages featuring a live DJ, Gator Band performances, spirit squads, mascots and student entertainers.

Guests will explore the Gator Showcase of nearly two dozen hands-on exhibits spanning all 16 colleges and major units — while enjoying a selection of savory bites and sweet treats inspired by President Bell’s Texas roots.

They’ll try their hand with a quill pen and inkwell in the style of the Founding Fathers at the Hamilton School’s showcase, design book covers with the University Press of Florida and view digital twins created by the College of Design, Construction and Planning through virtual headsets.

Other showcases invite guests to interact with robots, try horticultural therapy, work with a patient simulator, share their UF stories in a story booth or play “Giant Jenga” to learn about health professions. Guests can even craft their own plushie at the Stuff-a-Gator station.

Visitors will get a sneak peek of the newly revitalized Florida Museum of Natural History, set to open the following week, and explore exhibits at the Harn Museum.

Food and supplies will be limited, so we encourage everyone to come early. Just us to welcome President Bell, celebrate UF and be a part of what’s next for the University of Florida and the Gator Nation.