What to know about the 100th Homecoming at UW-Eau Claire

Homecoming 2025 is a weekend packed with nostalgia along with new traditions and plenty of opportunities to let your Blugold pride shine. Nothing makes the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association more excited than bringing together the whole big family of Blugolds, and alumni relations officer Jane Larson gives a great reminder of the “reason for the season” of Homecoming.

“This weekend brings together generations of Blugolds — from our newest alumni to our incredible Golden Blugolds, celebrating 50-plus years since graduation. Their combined presence here reminds us that no matter how long it’s been since they’ve been back, UW-Eau Claire is always home,” Larson says.

“It’s a time to reconnect, reminisce and remember what makes this place and our people so special, for 100 years and counting.”

Curt Krizan, UW-Eau Claire Foundation president, is pleased to welcome all Blugolds and Eau Claire community members to the festivities of this special anniversary celebration.

“There’s no better time to return to Blugold Country than Oct. 4 for the 100th Homecoming celebration,” Krizan says.

“We’re excited to bring the parade back down to Water Street and celebrate not only with our current students and alumni, but with the entire community. From Saturday’s football game and the pregame and postgame festivities to capping the weekend off with the ‘I Love the 90’s’ concert at the new Sonnentag Event Center — it’s going to be an epic time to be a Blugold!”

In addition to the Alumni Association and Foundation sponsorship of major events, many elements of Homecoming at UW-Eau Claire are curated by current students through the University Activities Commission of Student Senate. This year, as always, they have planned a week of both traditional and new student events sure to offer Blugolds loads of fun while creating memories of a lifetime.

Joann Martin, coordinator of student activities in the Activities, Involvement and Leadership office, says that as an alumna herself, it's especially rewarding to assist students in planning major projects like Homecoming.

"Our students leaders on this, Rebekah Conrad and Vicki Czap, have done a wonderful job," Martin says. "They have had a focus on reviving traditions like campus games on Towers Field, which has been absent for a few years. Also coming back this year are Homecoming-themed buttons, like 'When in Doubt, Defeat Stout!' As a Blugold, it's special to see Homecoming events continue, evolve and ultimately bring campus together."

The major community sponsor for this 100th anniversary Homecoming is Royal Credit Union, and media partners in promoting and covering the celebrations are WEAU-TV and Volume One.

See highlights below, and all Homecoming details for students and alumni on the Homecoming website.

100th Homecoming highlights

Thursday, Oct. 2
 

Varsity Night Live

7 p.m. in Schofield Auditorium

Come support various acts that sing, dance and lip sync their way into the Homecoming weekend! Royalty will also be announced at this event. Varsity Night Live is free and open to all.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Homecoming parade

10 a.m. at Water Street and 2nd Avenue to The Sonnentag (new route)

This year the Homecoming parade is coming back to Water Street. The parade route will begin at Water Street and 2nd Avenue and end in the parking lot of The Sonnentag. Leading off the parade will be a four-plane flyover — we said this year is a big deal!

The Sonnentag will be open for tours following the parade. If you have not yet been inside, follow the parade crowd and check out this incredible new facility. From the gigantic fieldhouse and bleacher-wall homage to Zorn Arena to the state-of-the-art event center for athletic events and concerts, gawking is totally allowed — it’s an amazing place.

You can also shop for new Blugold gear in the swag shop and enjoy a popsicle before continuing to your next stop.

Tailgating

11 a.m. at Carson Park

Get ready for the football game by tailgating at Carson Park. Blugold Fever Fest is sponsored by the Alumni Association and UW-Eau Claire Foundation. Food and pregame activities are open to all attendees prior to and during the game. Enjoy food truck eats and beverages and shop exclusive Blugold merchandise designed for the 100th Homecoming. Gather with current and past Blugolds to listen to a special show from the Blugold Marching Band before they enter the stadium.

UW-Eau Claire vs. UW-Stout football game

1 p.m. at Carson Park

Cheer on the Blugolds as they take on rival Blue Devils from UW-Stout. Wear your blue and gold, clap along with the Blugold Marching Band and get a picture with mascot Blu at the game. Admission is free with a valid Blugold ID — or purchase tickets online or at the main entrance gate.

Important bag policy for game: Given the expected size of the Homecoming event this year, the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association and Blugold athletics are instituting a clear-bag policy for the football game in Carson Park.

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" or 30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm. This includes clear backpacks, clear fanny packs and clear cinch bags that fit within the permissible dimensions.
• Small, non-clear bags that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" in size, with or without a handle or strap, can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags.
• Prohibited bags and containers include, but are not limited to: coolers, briefcases, non-clear backpacks, non-clear fanny packs, non-clear cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags, camera or binocular bags, or any non-clear bag larger than the permissible size (4.5" x 6.5").

Fifth Quarter postgame party

4 p.m. at Carson Park

Don't let the celebration end! Enjoy music by Uncommon Denominator, Eau Claire’s premier professional party band, and grab a bite at the food truck after the game outside the stadium.

'I Love the 90's Tour' concert

7:30 p.m. at The Sonnentag 

Keep the nostalgia going with a lineup straight from the 90s. The "I Love the 90's Tour" will feature performances by iconic 1990s artists Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, Rob Base and Young MC. Take this chance to explore UW-Eau Claire's newest facility and lose your voice singing along to old favorites. Get concert tickets here.