FORT PIERCE — Indian River State College invites students, employees, and community members to celebrate the golden anniversary of the NJCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at Community Tailgate Parties on Friday, March 8, beginning at 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, at 3 p.m. The sporting event and tailgate parties take place on the Massey Campus at 3209 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce.

The all-ages festivities will include live music, inflatables, food trucks, face painting, and a beach area where guests can put their toes in the sand and watch a simulcast of the competition’s final rounds on an enormous electronic screen. There will also be an adults-only cash bar area.

The Friday lineup kicks off with the country/southern rock sounds of Florida Ridge at 4 p.m., followed by blues from Ben Prestage at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, country rock enthusiasts can enjoy the Tom Jackson Band when they take the stage at 4 p.m.

D.J. Jaydot will be on hand to spin tunes on both days.

The U.S. Coast Guard, sponsor of the 2024 NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, will host an expo area with demonstrations and assets in the courtyard near the pool deck. A U.S. Coast Guard flyover will occur on Friday evening, weather permitting.

There is no admission fee or R.S.V.P. required to join the Community Tailgate Parties, but enthusiasts wishing to view the NJCAA Championship event from the pool deck must purchase tickets at https://giving.irsc.edu/ways-to-give/2024swim/.