Thousands of people joined an all-day celebration at the University of Texas at Austin to celebrate the Longhorns' official entrance into the Southeastern Conference.
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Thousands of people joined an all-day celebration at the University of Texas at Austin to celebrate the Longhorns' official entrance into the Southeastern Conference.
The celebration entailed live music, fireworks, games and activities on campus Sunday to commemorate the Longhorns’ first day in the SEC. Pitbull, AKA "Mr. Worldwide," also joined the festivities.
Those attending the event were able to visit museums, exhibits and other recreational activities, and they could join the Texas Traditions Scavenger Hunt. There was also an autograph opportunity with Texas Athletics' head coaches, and a Bevo Parade and photo ops with Bevo himself.
“UT’s move to the Southeastern Conference is an extraordinary moment for Texas Athletics, Longhorn Nation and our entire University. It is only fitting that we celebrate this occasion with a Texas-sized party on the Forty Acres, open to all,” UT President Jay Hartzell said in a prior news release. “We are excited to bring our passion, history and commitment to excellence to our new conference, and this event will be a chance to highlight the University’s winning tradition and all it means to be a Longhorn.”
Fireworks explode next to the UT Tower after a ceremony officially welcoming the Texas Longhorns into the Southeastern Conference on Sunday at the UT campus. (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)
Texas fans filed through campus Sunday for the school's SEC celebration Sunday. The Longhorns are now officially part of the Southeastern Conference. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
The Southeastern Conference logo with its slogan "It just means more" in front of the Littlefield Fountain on the UT campus during the SEC celebration Sunday. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
Texas fans filed through campus Sunday for the school's SEC celebration Sunday. The Longhorns are now officially part of the Southeastern Conference. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
Bevo XV peeks through his trailer before his parade down the South Mall on campus Sunday during the SEC celebration. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
Bevo XV peeks through his trailer before his parade down the South Mall on campus Sunday during the SEC celebration. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
The UT Tower and the stage for musical acts The Spazmatics and Pitbull during Sunday's SEC celebration, marking the Longhorns' official entrance into the Southeastern Conference. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
Big Bertha II, the world's largest base drum, was on display during Texas' SEC celebration Sunday, marking the school's official entrance to the Southeastern Conference. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
The UT Tower and the stage for musical acts The Spazmatics and Pitbull during Sunday's SEC celebration, marking the Longhorns' official entrance into the Southeastern Conference. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
Texas fans filed through campus Sunday for the school's SEC celebration Sunday. The Longhorns are now officially part of the Southeastern Conference. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
Members of the Texas Cowboys sit on Smokey the Cannon during the SEC celebration on campus Sunday. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
A view of the South Mall on the UT campus with the Texas Capitol building in the background during the SEC celebration Sunday. (KXAN photo/Billy Gates)
The celebration did not go without a bit of hoopla, however. Austin-Travis County EMS said at least one person had minor injuries due to a "crowd surge” incident.
People who attended the celebration said a barricade went down as crowds tried to push towards the stage for Pitbull’s performance.
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