Storied events planned for Homecoming 2010: Legends of Bucky Badger

As UW–Madison alumni and fans may know, on the eve of the very first Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 1948, the football trophy mysteriously went missing just like its predecessor, the Slab of Bacon.

Legend has it that within minutes, Bucky Badger gathered a search party of thousands to march down State Street to look for it. Luckily it was found, and the parade continues on each year on the eve of the Homecoming football game. Or so the story goes.

Before this year’s Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, UW–Madison alumni and students are invited to a week of tall-tale adventures with the greatest mascot in the land during Homecoming 2010: Legends of Bucky Badger.

The UW Homecoming Committee and the Wisconsin Alumni Association invite all students and alumni to celebrate with a variety of events in the spirit of the Paul Bunyan tradition during Homecoming week, Oct. 1-9.

“This year, alumni, students and Badger fans will experience the larger-than-life spirit of adventure storytelling in a wonderfully fun way,” says WAA’s president and CEO Paula Bonner. “We invite everyone to gear up for one of the most storied rivalries in college football during our great Badger Homecoming traditions.”

Homecoming kicks off at noon on Friday, Oct. 1, on Library Mall, where UW–Madison students can enjoy free pizza and live performances before the cardboard Barge Races on Lake Mendota. Community festivities begin with the Literacy Network Charity Run/Walk at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3. Registration is $30 per adult and $20 per UW student prior to Sept. 27 and includes a T-shirt, music, refreshments and a cookout.

During the week leading up to the Homecoming football game, a variety of events and competitions are held for students, including a blood drive, air band competition, Olympics-themed Badger Games and the AV Club’s Jarringly Obscure Trivia event.

On Friday, Oct. 8, alumni and students can hit the links with Bucky Badger at University Ridge for the Homecoming Golf Outing before grabbing a spot on State Street for the Homecoming Parade at 6 p.m. Immediately following is a fireworks display (weather permitting) at the Memorial Union Terrace and the All-Alumni Reception. Tickets for the reception can be purchased for $10 and include food and refreshments.

The week concludes on Saturday, Oct. 9, with the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Badger Huddle pregame tailgate at the UW Field House before the Badgers take on Minnesota in the storied Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

A full list of student and community Homecoming events and merchandise is available at http://uwhomecoming.com.

Homecoming events are organized by the UW Homecoming Committee, a nonprofit, student-run organization sponsored by WAA. The 55-member committee plans a week of Homecoming events for students, alumni and the Madison community. Proceeds from events benefit local charities and university aid initiatives, most notably the Dean of Students Crisis Loan Fund and need-based financial aid.