100 reasons to come home for Homecoming

Homecoming festivities galore

1-10: Parade spans 10 blocks of Water Street

Catch the Homecoming parade in its new (old!) location on Water Street — spanning 10 blocks from the Haas Fine Arts Center to The Sonnentag. Experience the flyover at the start of the parade!

11: Humming into Homecoming

Catch the Bridgman Hall Kazoo Band as they march through the Homecoming parade.

12: Update your blue and gold

Add some new UW-Eau Claire merch into your wardrobe! You can shop for new Blugold clothes at the game, the bookstore or The Sonnentag.

13: Pregame fun

Head to Carson Park before kickoff for Blugold Fever Fest, tailgating, food trucks and other pregame fun to get ready for the matchup.

22: Postgame

Enjoy the fifth-quarter festivities, like rocking out with Uncommon Dominator, a beloved cover band featuring Blugold alums.

23-26: Ice Ice Baby

Revel in nostalgia at the “I Love the 90s Tour” concert, featuring Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, Rob Base and Young MC. Get your tickets.

27: Marvel at UW-Eau Claire talent

Watch the Singing Statesmen and other performance groups sing, dance and lip sync at “Varsity Night Live” on Thursday evening. And find out who will wear the crown as they announce Homecoming royalty, too.

28: Nurses unite!

UW-Eau Claire’s Wisconsin 60th Anniversary Nursing Breakfast is over Homecoming weekend. It’s free for all nursing alumni, but be sure to register by Sept. 14. If you have questions, please contact the alumni office at alumni@uwec.edu.

29-31: Celebrate the UW-Eau Claire jazz tradition

Don’t miss the S. Carey and John Raymond concert with Jazz I at Pablo Center! This show will celebrate two of UW-Eau Claire’s distinguished music alumni performing with the jazz ensemble they got their start in. Learn more and get tickets.

32: Enjoy the alumni band

Catch the performance of former Blugold Marching Band members as they gather and play old favorites outside of the stadium before the game.

33: Calling all 1975 Blugold grads

Don’t miss the Golden Blugold Celebration while you’re in town! The event will take place at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, in Davies Center. Register by Sept. 26 if you plan to attend. If you have questions, please contact the alumni office at alumni@uwec.edu.

34: Greek Mixer

Did you participate in Greek life? Join current and alumni UW-Eau Claire Greeks at the Homecoming Mixer on Friday, Oct. 3, in The Cabin. Register to attend.

35: Take a photo with Blu

Find Blu, the official student body mascot since 2013, at the parade or football game to snap a selfie with the mythical bird.

Campus favorites, old and new

Take a stroll through campus to see what has (and hasn’t!) changed since you last visited. Be sure to explore both upper and lower campus as you relive the glory days.

36-40: Tour The Sonnentag

Opened in 2024, this five-in-one project includes a major event facility with a total capacity of 5,000, which brings big-name artists to Eau Claire; an 84,000-square-foot space featuring a 120-yard artificially turfed field, giving a space for Blugold athletics to practice and play; the Center for Health and Wellbeing, offering cardio and weight equipment as well as personal training and group exercise programs for UW-Eau Claire students and community; offices for Blugold athletics; and a new Mayo Clinic Health System Diagnostic Imaging and Sports Medicine Center, providing services to area athletes and active Eau Claire residents.

41: Visit the site of Zorn Arena

The opening of The Sonnentag marked the end of the Zorn Arena era. Visit the spot where the arena once stood and reminisce about the basketball games, commencement ceremonies and other events you attended there.

42: Check out Pablo Center at the Confluence

This downtown building opened in 2018. It serves as a venue for visiting shows and rehearsal, teaching and performance space for students in the music and theatre arts program at UW-Eau Claire.

43-47: See the progress on the new Science and Health Sciences Building

With five floors — and a bonus roof greenhouse/observatory — thoughtfully designed to make space for new programming, expand on our national leadership in undergraduate research and increase collaborations with community partners, you’ll catch a glimpse of history watching this building take shape.

48: Explore the new Welcome Center

Walk through the Flesch Family Welcome Center, new in 2021, to see how visiting students and families are greeted in style.

50: Conquer the hill ...

Hike the hill for old time’s sake, then take in the updated view of campus from the top.

51: ... Or the stairs

Not a fan of the hill? The stairs behind McPhee just got an upgrade — check it out!

52: Say hi to the ducks on Little Niagara

We know you named them. Go have a reunion with your web-footed friends.

53: Greet the Chippewa River

Venture over to the iconic Putnam Rock to experience views of the river, footbridge and lower campus.

55: Putnam memories

Take in the fall beauty during a stroll through Putnam Park, a favorite study break of Blugolds for generations.

Eau Claire just keeps getting cooler

Revisit your old favorite hangouts — and maybe find a new favorite. Explore downtown and see how the city has changed over the years.

56-62: City of bridges

Cross all seven of Eau Claire’s footbridges. And if you want an extra-special view, stroll the Phoenix Park and Haymarket Plaza pedestrian bridges at nighttime for a light spectacle.

63-65: Do the market trifecta

Located at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, take a lap around the farmers market for fresh produce, baked goods and maybe even a fall bouquet. Then swing through the artisan market to find locally made goods and art to take home as a souvenir from your weekend. And finally, if you haven’t reached your step goal yet, take a stroll through downtown for the Downtown Eau Claire Inc. market to see what downtown shops have to offer.

66: Treat yourself to Blugold Batter

Alumni-owned Olson’s Ice Cream developed a special flavor for Blugolds. Try the Blugold Batter, or one of dozens of other flavors, and take it on your stroll around campus.

67: Forge a new trail

Walk the new Half Moon Lake boardwalk trail. The path starts behind Carson Park and ends at Rod & Gun Park.

68: Plan for play

Take your little ones to the new Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, now located right next to Phoenix Park. You can even see the new sensory room our students helped design and implement.

69: Scoot around

Scooter through downtown on Eau Claire’s Bird rental electric scooters.

70: Discover the new Cannery District

Located just north of Madison Street, go explore the playground and skate park, and then walk across the High Bridge.

71: Revisit Eau Claire in style

Take a trolley ride with the Chippewa River Trolley so you can take in the fall colors and changes around town as a passenger.

72: New favorites in River Prairie

Check out the ever-expanding River Prairie district in Altoona for a bite or a stroll. Explore restaurants, patios, a riverside walking trail and water features.

73: Retrace your steps

Meander down the streets of the student neighborhood off Water Street and see if your old address looks the same or totally different. Many upgrades have taken place in recent years!

74: Seasonal stops

For more fall scenery, visit one of the apple orchards or wineries around town. Tasty food and beverages are best enjoyed with a view.

98: Take the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour

Ours is the largest sculpture tour in the nation, in case you hadn’t heard. Grab a coffee, pick a section to stroll, and experience local and international artists’ works.

99: Check out Eau Claire’s local restaurants

A few alumni-owned places to grab a drink include The Brewing Projekt, The Phoenix Taproom and Dive. Or, grab a bite at one of our fine alumni-owned restaurants like The Nucleus, Mogie’s Pub or The Lakely.

100: Shop alumni-owned local businesses

Stop by Blue Ox Running, Tangled Up in Hue, Eau Claire Vintage or one of the many other Blugold-owned shops around town!