Mosey on over to downtown Menomonie to celebrate UW-Stout’s 2025 homecoming, Thursday, Oct. 23, to Saturday, Oct. 25. As students saddle up for a “Way Stout West” homecoming theme, alumni, supporters, and community members anticipate the annual parade and football game on Saturday.
The community is also invited to two special events supporting students, in collaboration with Menomonie Culver’s and Brewery Nonic, as well as two open house labs to experience the university’s polytechnic advantage.
All events are open to the public. Registration is open on the homecoming site. UW-Stout staff will be available at the homecoming welcome table Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Clock Tower Plaza, to provide more details about events happening around campus.
This year marks UW-Stout’s 109th homecoming, with its first homecoming held in 1917.
Special events to support students
For the second year in a row, Menomonie Culver’s has created a homecoming flavor for UW-Stout. Menomonie Culver’s will have a Western-themed Flavor of the Day on Friday, Oct. 24, and 100% of Flavor of the Day sales will go to support the Student Success Fund.
Building on this spirit of community and support is a special collaboration with Brewery Nonic, owned by alum Ryan Verdon (’13). Together, UW-Stout and Brewery Nonic are debuting a limited-edition homecoming brew, available in apple ale and blueberry ale.
The initiative is more than a specialty beverage; it’s a way for alumni, friends and community members to support UW-Stout students. With the purchase of a signature homecoming glass, guests will receive a free drink ticket, and 50% of proceeds will benefit the StoutProud Fund. This fund directly supports UW-Stout’s strategic priorities, enhancing the student experience.
Glasses can be purchased online and picked up at the following:
- Prehomecoming celebration: Thursday, Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m. (Brewery Nonic)
- Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)
- Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)
Alumni connections with brewing and distilling run deep, with faculty and students collaborating for years on applied learning projects ranging from product packaging and design to biochemistry research using brewer’s yeast.
UW-Stout also offers a new collaborative Beer, Cheese and Kombucha for Beginners course, attracting those interested in making their own food and beverages. Check out additional Continuing Education and Conferences opportunities.
Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday
Saturday will start with some preparade fun at the Stout Clock Tower Party from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Bowman Hall Clock Tower Plaza, with face painting, balloon art, yard games and more. All ages are welcome.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at 10th Avenue E. and Broadway Street S. The route goes through downtown and then south on Third Street E. through campus toward the Sports and Fitness Center, ending at 13th Avenue. Watch the parade livestream on YouTube.
A self-guided UW-Stout Landmark Walking Tour is available. Two open house labs will be held: a Golf Simulator Demo from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Pat Kell Golf Center, Recreation Complex room 25; and an Esports Lab Demo from noon to 2 p.m., in the brand-new Esports Arena, Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center room 111.
New this year, Downtown Menomonie is hosting the Downtown Fall Frolic, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Shop sidewalk sales, get one-day-only deals at downtown shops and enter a free raffle to win Downtown Menomonie experience packages.
Athletics and recreation events
University Recreation’s annual Blue Devil Glow Run is a 2-mile fun run/walk on Oct. 23, beginning at Williams Stadium, winding through campus and ending on the outdoor track. Registration begins at 7 p.m., and runners will take off at 8 p.m.
Cheer on the Blue Devils at two games on Oct. 25. Purchase tickets at the games, or watch the Blue Devils’ games online on the WIAC Network.
- Softball Alumni Game: 9 a.m. (Alumni Field)
- Football vs. UW-Stevens Point: 1 p.m. (Williams Stadium)
Alumni events
Two special events for alumni are planned. The UW-Stout Alumni Awards Celebration will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24, in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Purchase a ticket to attend. UW-Stout will recognize these distinguished alumni and supporters:
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Gene Hallongren, a retired counselor, teacher and administrator at College of DuPage and DeVry University
- Trailblazer Alumni Award: Leslie Barlow, a visual artist, educator and cultural worker
- Luminary Alumni Award: Greg Else, director of Monitoring and Controls, Individual and Family Markets, with Health Care Service Corporation
- Chancellor’s Award: Dean Weidner, founder and chairman of Weidner Apartment Homes, headquartered in Kirkland, Washington
- University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation, headquartered in Appleton
On Oct. 25, Breakfast at the Buck features a breakfast for alumni from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver Dollar, 315 Main St. E. Register online.
Western-themed events for students
Blue Devil Productions is hosting student events all week long, centered around this year’s theme “Way Stout West.”
Students will kick off the week on Oct. 20, with a Culver’s Custard Social, followed by the annual Soapbox Derby, featuring student-made cars. Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. on the Memorial Student Center south lawn. The race is set to start afterward on the corner of Second Street W. and Wilson Avenue.
“Stout’s Favorite Pizza” invites students to taste-test five local pizzerias and vote for their favorite. Students can also play glow-in-the-dark bingo, join a lip sync battle and a chalking competition. Weeklong events include a banner competition, a medallion hunt, and a food drive to support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the student food pantry on campus.
