DeLAND, Fla. – Downtown DeLand was alive with green and white last Friday night as the inaugural HatterFest brought together students, families, alumni, and community members in a spirited celebration of Stetson University athletics and the university's deep ties to the local community.
Held on the eve of Family and Friends Weekend, the annual rally drew an estimated 2,500 attendees, including more than 500 enthusiastic Stetson students who brought high energy to the heart of DeLand's historic district.
"HatterFest was an incredible success for Downtown DeLand," said Stephanie Garcia Mullins, Executive Director of MainStreet DeLand Association. "Fantastic energy, Stetson school spirit, and community pride filled every corner of W Indiana Ave, and it was inspiring to see students, alumni, and locals come together to celebrate. Events like this showcase the heart of DeLand and how special it is when the town and Stetson University connect. We can't wait to do this again!"
HatterFest featured music and a popular photo booth provided by Mix on Wheels, games, giveaways, appearances by Stetson's student-athletes and performances by the Hatter cheer squad and pep band. The evening culminated in a high-energy pep rally celebrating Hatter spirit and served as a fitting kickoff to a weekend packed with campus pride.
In addition to rallying support for the Hatters, the event spotlighted Stetson corporate partners as well as local vendors and businesses, many of whom stayed open late to accommodate the surge in foot traffic. The celebration underscored the university's ongoing commitment to partnership and engagement with the city of DeLand, and this year's inaugural HatterFest was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Stetson Athletics proudly recognizes BTM Coaches, Culver's, Gallery Homes, Gators Dockside, Insight Credit Union, Jeremiah's Italian Ice, Pepsi, Tijuana Flats, Waters Car Wash, Wharton-Smith, and Woodland & Rich for helping bring the Stetson community and the city of DeLand together for this special celebration.
The Stetson Bookstore also used the event to conduct a special pre-launch sale of a tailor-made, officially licensed Stetson® Gameday Collection hat. Stetson fans took advantage of the sale, buying nearly the entire remaining inventory and forced the Bookstore to place a second order of hats that should arrive in time for the school's Oct. 25 homecoming weeknd. The Bookstore is taking pre-orders online by clicking here.
As families poured into town for the weekend's festivities, HatterFest set the tone for what promises to be a vibrant and memorable series of events on and off campus.
With the success of this year's rally, organizers are already looking ahead to 2026—and planning an even bigger celebration of Hatter pride and community spirit.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
About MainStreet DeLand Association
MainStreet DeLand Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable cause dedicated to supporting and enhancing the continuing economic development of Downtown DeLand while protecting and promoting its historic heritage. Since its designation in 1985, the organization has been instrumental in reimagining the design of downtown, attracting investors and business owners, and advocating for economic opportunity for small businesses in Downtown DeLand. The organization is the only Main Street in the U.S. to be the recipient of both the Great American Main Street Award (1997) and America's Best Main Street (2017).
