Whether you’re from the Farmville community, Longwood student or alumni, visiting media or guests coming to visit town to see the commotion unravel, you’ve probably never seen Longwood’s campus as it is now. The 2016 Vice Presidential debate will no doubt be one of the most historic events held by Longwood University that will almost certainly make the "Where the hell is Farmville?" t-shirts irrelevant.
Between the tall fences and the countless stages, there are multiple "hot spots" to be during debate day. Obvious choices include the various news media stages such as MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. However, your options aren’t quite that limited; Longwood has put together a series of events and activities surrounding the debate open to anyone and everyone.
Although there are countless exciting opportunities to take part in, after some consideration by yours truly- these are the top five places to be on debate day:
5. First Amendment Field: If you have a message to tell, this is the place to be. Longwood University is providing a space for organizations, protests and speakers where they can have their views heard. All kinds of opinions will be expressed on stage at the field with ten-minute speaking slots in celebration of freedom of speech and expression.
The First Amendment Field will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located adjacent to the Moton Museum at 800 Griffin Blvd. For more details and registration for the speaking slots, visit http://debate.longwood.edu/visitor/first-amendment-field.php
4. R.R. Moton Museum: Experience the new guided Civil Rights Walking Tour at the Moton Museum facilitated by Longwood History Professor, Dr. Larissa Smith Ferguson. The tour explores the extensive civil rights history within Farmville and Prince Edward County as a whole.
Admission for the Civil Rights Walking Tour is free and open to the public. It will depart at 10 a.m. from the Moton Museum (located on the south end of Longwood University’s campus) at 900 Griffin Blvd.
For more information call (434) 315-8775 or visit their website at www.motonmuseum.org
3. LCVA: The Longwood Center for Visual Arts (LCVA) will host “Citizens and Leaders – a Conversation on the Art of Presidential Campaign Photojournalism.” This public conversation will be held in conjunction with the exhibition “Citizens and Leaders: A Century of Iconic Presidential Campaign Photography by the Associated Press” and will feature highly accomplished photojournalists speaking on the art of capturing democracy at work, specifically regarding campaign photojournalism.
Panelists featured will be The Associated Press (AP) Vice President and Director of Photography Santiago Lyon, Staff Photographer for The Associated Press (based in Atlanta) David Goldman and Associated Press and Longwood Assistant Professor of Photography and veteran campaign photographer Michael Mergen. Moderator for the event will be Longwood’s own Chief of Staff, Justin Pope.
Admission for this AP lunchtime conversation is free and open to the public and will commence at noon. The LCVA is located at 129 N. Main St. at the intersection of Main St. and Third Street. For more information call (434) 395-2206 or visit their website at http://lcva.longwood.edu
2. Lancaster Mall: On the south side of Lancaster on the lawn, there will be a series of “En-light(e)ning Talks” as presented by Longwood faculty. These non-partisan, informative TED-like talks will be given on various topics of expertise from all subject matter relating to the Vice Presidential debate. Fields include but aren’t limited to: English, Psychology, Economics, History, Education and Communication Studies.
Each informative lesson will be about ten minutes long, beginning on the hour or half-hour followed by an opportunity for Q&A. Admission for these talks is free and open to the public from 1-4 p.m.
1. Stubbs Mall: By far the location with the most energy will undoubtedly be Stubbs Mall. It begins at noon with the “VP Jubilee” in which students will be host to assorted debate-related booths and activities. Campus will come to life as Longwood organizations invite guests to look at what they’ve done, all the while promoting their group and upcoming events, not far from the debate venue itself- Willett Hall. This jubilant event is open to the public and will go on until 7 p.m. with free admission and many other exciting happenings throughout the afternoon and leading into the evening:
From 1-2:30 p.m., there will be musical guests 20 Ride: a Zac Brown Cover Band - so put your toes in the grass, butt on a blanket and enjoy some of country’s best tunes.
Following 20 Ride, campus-goers can snap their fingers and tap their toes to a Jazz Combo performance from 3-3:45 p.m.
Shortly after will be a trivia contest from 4:30-6 p.m. with patriotic music providing an appropriate tune until 7 p.m.
After the media wall, the live coverage of pre-debate activities- don’t forget to get your Longwood debate scarf and limited debate blankets!- will begin with the “Media Wall” starting at 7 p.m. and going on until 9 p.m. when students, faculty, staff and all kinds of visitors will come together for an outdoor Campus Debate Watch Party. A live broadcast will occur as the debate takes place just steps away in Willett Hall.
Finally to finish off the day, Longwood will serve a late-night breakfast as the commotion around campus and the debate itself calms down while Spin Alley turns up as their music plays on the Stubbs Mall stage.
There you have it- the top five places to be for the 2016 vice presidential debate. So, grab your star spangled banner Converse, your favorite Longwood blanket and your partners in politics, and don’t miss out on the excitement to come!
