It’s Time to Come Home: Join us for Homecoming Week
U…..Rah…..Rah…..Wis-con-sin.
U…Rah…Rah…Wis-con-sin!
U.RAH.RAH.WIS-CON-SIN!!
Badgers, the time is finally here when past, present, and future Badgers are called to come home. After more than a year of virtual events, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be returning to an in-person Homecoming celebration!
Beginning Monday, Oct. 25, the student-run Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and some Madison area partners have put together a week of fun activities and events leading up to the highly anticipated Homecoming football game versus the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Start your week off right with a nice, warm (FREE!) cup of hot cocoa outside of Memorial Union on Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. As you sip on your hot cocoa, check out all the fun events planned for the week, including a blood drive on Tuesday, and the Homecoming Parade and Block Party on Friday.
A RED Talk is scheduled on Monday, Oct. 25. This fun, Badger-style event is based on the well-known TED Talks and will feature Dr. LaVar J. Charleston, who serves as deputy vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion and vice provost and diversity officer, will be focusing on this year’s theme of “Badgers We Are Better Together.” This is a great opportunity to connect and learn from a Badger leader. The event will take place in the Marquee Theater at Union South from 7 to 8 p.m. More details are available here.
On Tuesday, Oct. 26, students, alumni, and community members can make a difference by contributing to the UW-Madison Homecoming Blood Drive. This two-day event, concluding on Thursday, Oct. 28, will be held at the Gordon Event and Dining Center in the Symphony Room from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Donors are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment beforehand, but walk-ins are always welcome. Sign up to donate here.
Check out the Be the Match Swab Drive, also on Tuesday, Oct. 26, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at East Campus Mall, right across from the Gordon Event and Dining Center. Here,you will be able to join Be the Match and spread awareness about bone marrow donation that saves the lives of people with leukemia, lymphomas, or blood cancer.
Wrap up this great day of community impact with a stop at Union South. Wear your Badger apparel and get $1 adobo chicken tacos at South Cantina at Union South from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. or $1 scoops of ice cream from the Daily Scoop from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. These are deals you don’t want to miss.
Jump to the end of the week for more fun.
Not sure of your Friday night plans? Don’t worry, the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and its partners have you covered! On Friday, Oct. 29, three events will be featured, including the Multicultural Homecoming Yard Show followed by the Homecoming Parade and Badger Block Party.
The bright lights are coming to Madison on Friday, Oct. 29, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m as the Multicultural Homecoming Yard Show is set to debut. Come out and watch as students, “Step, stroll, and perform on the big stage!” Presented by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), this fundraising effort will support the installation of the Divine Nine Garden Plaza. At only $10 for alumni and community guests and free entry for students, this event is sure to put you in the weekend spirit.
After all the big performances, head over to watch the Homecoming Parade! The parade is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Langdon Street where it will proceed onto Wisconsin Avenue, travel along Gilman Street to State Street, and then continue to Lake Street ending at about 7:30 p.m. This classic staple of Homecoming week dates all the way back to 1913.
The parade will feature the man of the hour, Bucky Badger, as well as circus artists from Head Over Wheels, who specialize in the German wheel; high wheel cyclist Jonathon Bee; entertainer extraordinaire Circus Boy; and professional clown Bingo the Balloon Clown. Be ready to fill up your Halloween buckets with lots of candy from Bucky.
Following the parade is the Homecoming Block Party, sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association. This event will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at One Alumni Place (Alumni Park) and 800 Langdon Street (Memorial Union Terrace). It is open to students, alumni, and community members and their families who wish to come. The event will include live music from alumni DJ Sarah Akowa ‘19 and DJ Ace Vanessa McDowell ‘03. A silent disco, interactive mural making with alumni artist Emily Balsley ‘99, funny face caricature artists, performances by the Pitches and Notes Acapella group, and more will make this a fantastic time for everyone.
After you enjoy all the events and activities offered, end the night with a bang at the UW Homecoming Pep Rally featuring the beloved UW Marching Band, alumnus football player Montee Ball, and UW Women’s Basketball Coach Marisa Moseley. The Pep Rally will conclude with fireworks at 8:45 p.m.
Badgers, be sure to rest up, because the festivities conclude with the Badger football team taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes in Camp Randall at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. Join the student section as they lead the stadium in their classic cheers, eat a yummy pretzel from a food stand, and bask in the great traditions of Camp Randall, especially the 5th Quarter band performance.
Homecoming 2021 is something you do not want to miss and we hope to see you on campus throughout the week!
