The game’s afoot at UW-Stout Polytechnic’s 2026 homecoming, Thursday, Oct. 15, to Sunday, Oct. 18. With a Clue-based weekend theme, alumni, students, 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 a Stout Clock Party featuring a Made@Stout Pop-Up Market with creations made by students, faculty and staff.
All events are open to the public. UW-Stout Polytechnic staff will be available at the homecoming welcome table Oct. 16, 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Alumni Clock Tower Plaza, to provide more details about events happening around campus.
This year marks UW-Stout Polytechnic’s 110th homecoming, with its first homecoming held in 1917.
The Clue Devil Files: The Homecoming Custard Flavor Mystery
For the third year in a row, Menomonie Culver’s has created a homecoming flavor for UW-Stout Polytechnic. The Clue-themed Flavor of the Day will be served on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 at both Menomonie locations, and 100% of Flavor of the Day sales will go to support StoutProud Fund, providing important resources to meet the evolving needs of UW-Stout Polytechnic.
Can you guess the Flavor of the Day before ordering a dish for yourself? Four clues. One flavor. A sweet suspect is closing in on Menomonie, and every Blue Devil is a detective now.
- Case File #1: The victim was smooth, cool, and found at the scene without a trace of color. Witnesses say it was the foundation of the whole operation. Nothing exciting about it ... or so they thought.
- Case File #2: Blood-red evidence has been found at the scene. But don’t panic. Investigators confirm it’s fresh, sweet, and picked with care. Not a crime of passion ... more like a crime of produce.
- Case File #3: A dark figure was seen making a quick getaway, leaving a trail across the scene. Whoever did it moves in slow, deliberate streaks. Tip line update: the suspect is dark, smooth, and always leaves things a little messier than they found them.
- Case File #4: The final piece of evidence is in, and it’s a sticky situation. Fluffy, white, and impossible to shake off, this one clings to everything it touches. Sounds like our culprit has a soft side.
Limited-edition homecoming brew with Brewery Nonic
The second annual limited-edition homecoming brews will be available in a dulce de leche stout and a sour wheat with optional fruit infusions, through a special collaboration with Brewery Nonic, owned by alum Ryan Verdon (’13).
Purchase a signature homecoming glass, and receive the first pour of one limited-edition brew for free. Best of all, 50% of the proceeds support the StoutProud Fund, helping advance the university's strategic priorities and enhance the polytechnic experience.
Glasses can be purchased online and picked up at the following:
- Cheers to Stout! prehomecoming celebration: Oct. 15, 5 to 7 p.m. (Brewery Nonic)
- Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 16, 1 to 4:30 p.m. (Alumni Clock Tower Plaza)
- Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Alumni Clock Tower Plaza)
Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday
Saturday will start with some preparade fun at the Stout Clock Party from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Alumni Clock Tower Plaza, with face painting, balloon art, and more, including a Made@UW-Stout Pop-Up Market. Made@UW-Stout supports Blue Devil creators, makers and entrepreneurs by creating opportunities to showcase and sell their products and connect with the community.
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.
Enjoy a self-guided stroll through campus from 9 a.m. to noon, featuring highlighted stops that showcase UW-Stout Polytechnic’s spaces, history and creativity, including an art walk with works by students and faculty.
Downtown Menomonie will host the second Downtown Fall Frolic, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.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
The annual Soapbox Derby, featuring student-made cars, will be on Monday, Oct. 12. Construction will occur from noon to 3:30 p.m. on the Memorial Student Center south lawn, followed by judging. The race is set to start afterward on campus, on the corner of 10th Avenue E. and Sixth Street.
Cheer on the Blue Devils at two games on Oct. 17. Purchase tickets at the games, or watch the Blue Devils’ games online on the WIAC Network.
- Football vs. UW-Whitewater: 1 p.m. (Williams Stadium)
- Men’s soccer vs. UW-Platteville: 1 p.m. (Nelson Field)
Alumni events
Two special events for alumni are planned. The UW-Stout Polytechnic Alumni Awards Celebration will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16, in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Purchase a ticket to attend. Distinguished alumni and supporters recognized will be:
- Distinguished Alumni awardee Joseph G. Rossmeier ('65) is recognized for his leadership at higher education institutions, improving the success of students.
- Luminary Alumni awardee Howard Lee ('68, '69) is recognized for his service to the Menomonie community and his inspirational mentorship in the field of education.
- Rising Leader Alumni awardee Jacob Schwitzer ('20) is recognized for changing the way people experience culture, storytelling and connection through video games.
- Chancellor’s Award recipients Ronald and Joyce Wanek are recognized for their philanthropy and the ongoing partnership between the university, the Wanek family and their business, Ashley Furniture Industries, based in Arcadia.
- University Partner awardee Green Bay Packaging reflects the university’s mission of applied learning, industry and community partnerships, and workforce development.
On Oct. 17, 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.
A dozen different events for students are listed on the Connect app.
A mural walk, art & design exhibitions
Stroll through downtown to view the Murals in Menomonie, created during a Walldogs celebration in June. The 13 murals by national artists depict many local historic individuals, events and institutions, including Swiss Miss hot cocoa, the Menomonie Blue Caps Base Ball Club, and the Knapp, Stout & Co. lumber business, co-owned by the father of university founder James Huff Stout.
Stout’s most enduring legacy – the educational institution he founded – is depicted in a mural on the east side of the Administration Building, facing Alumni Clock Tower Plaza. Painted archways bearing the phrases “Forward from our founding” and “Forever to our future” frame a panoramic depiction of campus landmarks.
Acclaimed Wisconsin painter Fred Stonehouse’s exhibition “Emblem and Epigraph/Curses and Catchphrases: Fred Stonehouse, Paintings 2015-2025” is at Furlong Gallery.
Gallery 209 in the Applied Arts Building has the “Skizzenbuch Exhibition.” Skizzenbuch, a German word that translates to sketchbook, will offer a glimpse of work in progress by School of Art & Design students and is curated by students.
The Library Art Lab, on the first floor of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center, features selected works from “Fieldwork,” an exhibition with artwork by more than 40 students that took place in June at Q.arma Gallery in Minneapolis.
The fall 2026 art installation in the Outpost Art Gallery will be unveiled at 3 p.m. on Oct.16, at the South Hall Courtyard.
