For Blue Devil fans it’s pure autumn bliss — nine consecutive days in October to celebrate at UW-Stout with a variety of activities for students, families, alumni and the community.
The festivities kick off with Stout Proud Weekend from Friday, Oct. 6, through Sunday, Oct. 8, geared to families and supporters of students but is open to everyone. Then, it’s homecoming week, highlighted by the annual downtown parade and football game Saturday, Oct. 14.
All of the events are open to the public. Many are free, but some require tickets.
Stout Proud Weekend
Stout Proud Weekend formerly was held in April as Family Weekend.
Events Friday include indoor rock wall climbing from 3 to 9 p.m. at Stout Adventures, dinner at Merle M. Price Commons cafeteria ($5 for guests, card only), a photo booth, the movie “Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles” from 6 to 9 p.m. in Applied Arts and a women’s volleyball match against UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m. at Johnson Fieldhouse.
A full day of events is scheduled for Saturday:
- 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Stout Proud Picnic, featuring the Bear Creek Band, on the lawn south of the Memorial Student Center. Meal tickets can be purchased in advance. The event also will feature tie-dye and caricature artists
- Noon-4 p.m., Rock Wall Climbing at Stout Adventures
- 1:30-2:30 p.m., Stout Secrets, at the Terrace, Memorial Student Center
- 2 p.m., Football Game: UW-Stout vs. UW-Oshkosh, Williams Stadium
- 3 p.m., Roommate Game, at the Terrace, Memorial Student Center
- 5-7 p.m., Dinner at Merle Price Commons
- 6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Bingo, at the Terrace, Memorial Student Center
On Sunday, the UW-Stout Antique Auto Club will hold a car show from 9 a.m. to noon in Lot 14, west of Bowman Hall. Canvas Painting and Coffee, with scones, will be led by art education students from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Terrace in the Memorial Student Center. A brunch is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon at Price Commons.
Replacing the former Family Weekend in April is Destination Weekend, April 5-6, 2024, kicking off a month of special events on campus.
Homecoming parade, game, Glow Run
Homecoming week is capped off Saturday with the annual downtown parade and football game.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at 10th Avenue E. and Broadway streets. The route goes north on Broadway, east on Main Street then south on Third Street E. through campus toward the Sports and Fitness Center, ending at 13th Avenue.
Community organizations, including school groups, businesses and nonprofits, can participate in the parade. Register here.
The homecoming football game against UW-Stevens Point kicks off at 1 p.m. at Williams Stadium. Also, a women’s soccer game against UW-Platteville begins at 2 p.m. at Nelson Field.
Tailgate boxes and Stout Proud digital swag are available for purchase to show support of the Blue Devils. Proceeds from the sales of the tailgate boxes support the UW-Stout Student Emergency Fund.
University Recreation’s annual Glow Run, a 2-mile fun run through campus, is at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, beginning and ending at Johnson Fieldhouse.
Homecoming alumni events
Two special events for alumni are planned.
An event Oct. 13 at Lucette Brewing begins with alumni awards from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by a social and pizza from 6 to 8 p.m. Register here.
The Alumni Association will recognize Joe Pregont, 1981 graduate, with the Distinguished Alumnus award and Danielle Goss, 2013 graduate, with the Trailblazer Alumna award.
On Saturday, Breakfast at the Buck features a free breakfast for alumni from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver Dollar, 315 Main St. E. Register here.
Homecoming student events
Student-focused events during the week begin with an ice cream social from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at the amphitheater of the Memorial Student Center.
Blue Devil Productions is hosting several weeklong student events, including a Banner Battle to show UW-Stout pride; a Food Drive Battle to support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry; and the annual medallion hunt. The annual Soapbox Derby, featuring student-made cars, will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Second Street W. and Wilson Avenue.
Students also can play glow-in-the-dark Bingo and take part in a chalking competition. Comedian and balloon artist John Cassidy will perform from 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Great Hall of the student center.
Students have a Renaissance theme — Renai-Stout — for homecoming week events.
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