Campus · October 1, 2026
Millrace Week Schedule Released: Foundry Pour Thursday, Forge Bowl and Fireworks Saturday
Homecoming runs October 11–17 with the Ring of Iron at dusk Friday and reunions for the classes of 1976, 2001 and 2016.
The student Millrace Week committee and the Office of Alumni Relations have released the schedule for Millrace Week 2026, the university’s homecoming, which runs Sunday, October 11, through Saturday, October 17. The week ends with the Forge Bowl against Chippewa Valley State and fireworks over the quad.
| Day | Event | Where and when |
|---|---|---|
| Sun., Oct. 11 | 2026 button release (first 1,000 free) | Founders Union, 11 a.m. |
| Mon., Oct. 12 | Residence hall banner judging | The quad, 4 p.m. |
| Tue., Oct. 13 | Millrace Week trivia night | Founders Union ballroom, 7 p.m. |
| Wed., Oct. 14 | Cardboard boat regatta | Forge Recreation Center pool, 6 p.m. |
| Thu., Oct. 15 | Foundry pour, open to the public | Founders Hall high bay, 6:30 p.m. |
| Fri., Oct. 16 | Ring of Iron (seniors); pep rally | Founders Hall cornerstone at dusk (about 6:15 p.m.); Ironclad Fieldhouse, 8 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | Alumni 5K | Riverfront Trail, from Millwright Stadium, 8 a.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | Homecoming parade | Founders Drive, 10:30 a.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | Forge Bowl vs. Chippewa Valley State | Millwright Stadium, 1 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | Fireworks over the quad | 7:30 p.m. |
The parade has 58 registered entries so far, including the Alumni Band, which will again play the 1961 fight song. Entries close October 9. The regatta, new last year, requires every boat to be made of cardboard and duct tape only; last year two of eleven boats finished.
Reunions
The classes of 1976 (50th), 2001 (25th) and 2016 (10th) will hold reunions on Friday evening and in tents on the stadium concourse Saturday. About 640 alumni had registered as of Wednesday.
“We kept everything people love and moved the 5K earlier so nobody has to choose between the race and a good spot on the parade route. That was the single most requested change in last year’s survey.”
— Jonah Vetsch, senior, chair of the student Millrace Week committee
The history of each event is on the traditions page. Downtown, many Depot District businesses will extend hours Friday and Saturday. Game-day details are on the Forge Bowl page.
Contact: Office of University Communications, news@uwporterfalls.edu
Fictional information
UW–Porter Falls is a work of parody. Millrace Week, its schedule, reunions and regatta are invented; please do not show up at a real pool with a cardboard boat.