Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is preparing for its annual Homecoming celebration, offering a wide range of activities and events designed to engage alumni, students, and the local community. The festivities will include traditional favorites such as the parade on Water Street, which spans ten blocks from the Haas Fine Arts Center to The Sonnentag. Attendees can expect a flyover at the start of the parade.

Musical performances are set to be a highlight, with appearances by groups like the Bridgman Hall Kazoo Band in the parade and halftime shows by the Blugold Marching Band. Alumni and visitors can also shop for new university merchandise at various locations including The Sonnentag.

Pregame events at Carson Park will feature Blugold Fever Fest with tailgating and food trucks ahead of athletic competitions. Supporters are encouraged to attend four home games that weekend: football against UW-Stout Blue Devils, cross country’s Blugold Invite in Colfax, as well as men’s and women’s soccer matches at Simpson Field.

Entertainment options extend beyond sports. Uncommon Dominator, a cover band featuring alumni members, will perform during postgame festivities. Nostalgia takes center stage with an “I Love the 90s Tour” concert featuring Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, Rob Base and Young MC.

On Thursday evening, performance groups including The Singing Statesmen will participate in “Varsity Night Live,” which also includes announcements of Homecoming royalty.

Special gatherings for alumni are planned throughout the weekend. Nursing graduates can attend UW-Eau Claire’s Wisconsin 60th Anniversary Nursing Breakfast free of charge after registering by September 14. Music enthusiasts may be interested in a concert at Pablo Center featuring distinguished music alumni S. Carey and John Raymond performing with Jazz I.

Other scheduled reunions include performances by former members of the Blugold Marching Band outside the stadium before kickoff and celebrations for 1975 graduates during Friday morning's Golden Blugold Celebration at Davies Center; registration is required by September 26.

Greek life participants are invited to a mixer on Friday evening in The Cabin on campus. Additionally, Blu—the university mascot—will be available for photos during key events.

Campus tours offer opportunities to explore recent developments such as The Sonnentag facility opened in 2024—a five-in-one project that includes event space for up to 5,000 people, an indoor turfed field for athletics practice and play, fitness facilities through the Center for Health and Wellbeing (which provides cardio equipment and group exercise programs), offices for athletics staff, as well as a Mayo Clinic Health System Diagnostic Imaging and Sports Medicine Center serving both student athletes and local residents.

Visitors can see progress on other campus projects like the new Science and Health Sciences Building—designed with five floors plus a rooftop greenhouse/observatory—and visit sites such as Zorn Arena’s former location or newer buildings like Pablo Center (opened in 2018) used by students studying music or theatre arts. Those interested in campus history may walk through Flesch Family Welcome Center (opened in 2021) or explore updates along Garfield Avenue completed several years ago that transformed it into a pedestrian-friendly riverfront area featuring Stowe Gateway amenities.

Recreational options include climbing walls or kayak rentals on Dells Pond; scenic walks through Putnam Park remain popular among returning alumni seeking familiar landscapes from their student days.

Beyond campus boundaries, Eau Claire offers experiences such as walking all seven city footbridges—including Phoenix Park’s illuminated nighttime display—and exploring local markets selling produce or artisan goods downtown. Alumni-owned businesses provide unique flavors like Olson’s Ice Cream “Blugold Batter,” while families might visit attractions like Half Moon Lake boardwalk trail or Children’s Museum near Phoenix Park—where students contributed to sensory room design.

Transportation around town is facilitated by Bird rental scooters or trolley rides showcasing autumn colors along established routes such as Chippewa River Trolley service. Neighborhood changes are evident throughout areas off Water Street where many former students lived; visitors can observe recent upgrades firsthand.

Art installations continue expanding across Eau Claire: according to Visit Eau Claire there are now more than sixty murals visible around town https://www.visiteauclaire.com/blog/post/murals-in-eau-claire/. In addition to murals, Eau Claire hosts what is described as one of America’s largest sculpture tours https://www.sculpturetour.org/, providing public access to works from both local and international artists throughout city streetscapes year-round.

Dining choices include several venues owned by university alumni—such as The Brewing Projekt or restaurants like Mogie’s Pub—while shopping opportunities abound at places including Blue Ox Running or Tangled Up in Hue.

"Catch Blu," said organizers about photo opportunities with UW-Eau Claire's official mascot since 2013.

"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."

"This show will celebrate two of UW-Eau Claire’s distinguished music alumni performing with the jazz ensemble they got their start in."

"The opening of The Sonnentag marked the end of the Zorn Arena era."