Del Mar College to celebrate workforce pathways, community partnerships during Viking Fest, taking place on Nov. 14
Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr.
The day begins with a Viking Fest 5K and Kids 1K Fun Run and also includes the fifth annual Día de los Muertos welding competition for high school and college-age welders
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —Del Mar College (DMC) will highlight workforce readiness and career pathways during its third annual Viking Fest on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Windward Campus.
The College hosts its third annual Viking Fest on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Windward Campus. The family-friendly event will showcase the people, programs and industry partnerships that help drive workforce development across the Coastal Bend while providing visitors opportunities to explore educational and career pathways in high-demand fields.
Viking Fest will feature vendors, industry partners, Del Mar College programs, community organizations and hands-on experiences designed to connect attendees with career and technical education opportunities.
Visitors can also enjoy food trucks, participate in the Viking 5K Run/Walk and Kids 1K Run, and take part in the event’s Viking costume contest.
This year's event will prominently highlight industrial trades and technical careers that support the region’s workforce needs, including opportunities to learn more about fields such as welding, pipefitting and other skilled trades, according to Jason Houlihan, DMC executive director of marketing and events.
Attendees will have the chance to engage with employers and industry representatives who help shape the Coastal Bend’s economic future.
“We're really trying to make this a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone, whether they're interested in a career in the trades, exploring educational opportunities, or simply spending a Saturday with us," said Houlihan. “The bigger story this year is that Viking Fest is becoming much more than a campus festival. It’s an opportunity for the community to see the direct connections between Del Mar College, our regional employers, and the high-demand careers available right here in South Texas.”
Among the featured attractions will be Tesla, the event’s presenting sponsor, which plans to bring its Cybertruck to campus, as well as the Port of Corpus Christi's Learning Lab. These exhibits will offer attendees a closer look at the industries, technology and workforce opportunities helping shape the region.
Viking Fest will also include the Fifth Annual Día de los Muertos Welding Competition, which attracts high school and college-age welders from across South Texas.
The competition awards scholarships, welding equipment and other prizes. More than 350 participants have already registered for the 2026 competition.
Viking Fest is free to attend, and registration for the Viking 5K Run/Walk and Kids 1K Run is also free. The event will be held at Del Mar College's Windward Campus, located at 4101 Old Brownsville Road in Corpus Christi. Additional information is available at Del Mar College Viking Fest.
Support for Viking Fest 2026 includes Tesla as Presenting Sponsor; H-E-B, CHRISTUS Spohn Medical Center and RALLY Credit Union as Viking Champion Sponsors; and ArcelorMittal, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, Pepsi, Bay Ltd. and Schneider Electric as Friends of Viking Fest.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.