Carthage celebrates Homecoming & Family Weekend with fun events all week long. Weekend events include an Alumni and Family Brunch, a Firebird football game, the Homecoming Parade, and more! In addition to this line-up of fun events, several reunions will also be held this year.
Purchase tickets and make reservations for all Homecoming & Family Weekend events on our registration page.
Homecoming Kick-Off Featuring Mind Reader Joe Diamond
8 p.m., Campbell Student Union Auditorium No charge; this event is for current Carthage students Carthage Activities Board (CAB) is kicking off Homecoming again this year with an out-of-this-world mind-reading event from southeastern Wisconsin native, Joe Diamond.
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Carthage Quiz Bowl
9 p.m., Esports Arena, Todd Wehr Center No charge; this event is for current Carthage students Try to answer some of Carthage’s most difficult trivia questions in this Kahoot battle!
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Alex Ahn Hip-Hop Violin
5 p.m., the Caf, Todd Wehr Center No charge; this event is for current Carthage students Dinner has never been this fresh. Check out violin virtuoso Alex Ahn and his take on hip hop classics new and old.
Thursday, Sept. 22-Friday, Sept. 23
Lincoln Symposium: ‘Lincoln, the Press, and Emancipation: The Best Kept Secret of the Civil War’
Carthage College is partnering with The Lincoln Forum for a two-day symposium featuring some of the leading Abraham Lincoln scholars from around the country. Join us for discussions about Lincoln and celebrate his service as a trustee of Carthage College.
11 a.m., Strawberry Creek Cost: $180 per person —Register now! Join fellow Carthaginians and community members for an opportunity to play a round of golf at the beautiful Strawberry Creek golf course in Kenosha.
Thrive in Life with Charles Clark
5 p.m., Tarble Arena No registration required! After a career-ending injury shattered his dreams of endorsement deals and a career as a professional athlete, former USA track and field athlete Charles Clark has devoted his life to public speaking and working with students on how to embody the championship mindset. Hear him talk about the idea of living a life that you thrive in, with whatever you do.
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
6 p.m., Jockey Rooms A & B, Todd Wehr Center Cost: $50 adults/$20 children — Reserve your spot! The Carthage Athletic Department will recognize the newest Hall of Fame class, featuring former student-athletes and administrators. These inductees were selected for their dedication to Carthage in competition, the classroom, the community, or leadership. See the 2022 Hall of Fame inductees
Alumni & Family Firebird Fun Night
8 p.m., Campbell Student Union No charge — Reserve your spot! This family-friendly event will feature Midwest Dueling Pianos (registration is required), a collection of some of the best entertainers in the industry. The show will run from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union. Stop by the Esports Arena (Todd Wehr Center) until midnight for competition games and entertainment for all ages. More games, free snacks, and beverages for purchase will be available in the CSU from 8 p.m. to midnight!
Saturday, Sept. 24
Firebird 5K
8 a.m., A. F. Siebert Chapel Cost: $35 per person — Register now! Get #fiREDup to run! Join the Carthage men’s and women’s track and field and cross country teams for the annual Firebird 5K. Registration includes a free Firebird t-shirt.
Video Game Tailgate
9 a.m.-midnight, Esports Arena No ticket required Stop by the Esports Arena in the Todd Wehr Center to try your hand at various contests against friends, family, or current student-athletes! Game titles from the arcade era to some of the newest in the gaming world will be available for play, as well as the opportunity to watch the Carthage Athletic events LIVE on the big screen! Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase.
Homecoming Concert Rehearsal
9-11 a.m., Carthage Choir alumni meet in Siebert Chapel, Treble Choir alumni meet in the Recital Hall Carthage Choir and Treble Choir alumni will meet to rehearse for the Homecoming Concert, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. this evening. Questions? Contact Maggie Burk, Carthage Choir Director, or Peter Dennee, Treble Choir Director. Sign up to participate in the Homecoming Concert
Alumni & Family Brunch & The Beacon Awards
9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Jockey Rooms A & B, Todd Wehr Center Cost: $20 for adults and children (children 5 and under eat free) — Get tickets! Join fellow Carthaginians for a fun, high-energy brunch featuring made-to-order breakfast chef stations, mimosas, and a bloody mary bar. President John Swallow and Alumni Council President Aaron Tinjum ’09 will provide important updates about institutional initiatives. The Alumni Council is proud to host the return of the Beacon Awards that will honor four alumni who have excelled in one of four new award categories.
Homecoming Parade
11 a.m., Campus Drive No ticket required Join Ember and Carthage’s very own 1968 Firebird convertible on a parade route that features entries by reunion groups, the Alumni Council, student organizations, sororities, fraternities, music, and more.
Tau Sigma Phi 60th Reunion Tailgate Party
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Augie Schmidt Field Cost: $20 per person — Get tickets! Back together! Join fellow Tau Sigs as they gather to celebrate their 60-year history at Carthage. Guests will enjoy tailgate-themed food, beverages, and comradery.
Firebird Alumni & Family Fair
11 a.m.-3 p.m., South Upper Lot No ticket required Reunite with beloved faculty and staff and meet new Carthage family faces as faculty, staff, and students highlight academic departments, student services departments, and student organizations in this fun-filled fair.
Biergarten & Forever Red Tailgate
11 a.m.-3 p.m., South Upper Lot No ticket required The Carthage spirit comes alive at the Forever Red Tailgate! Gather with classmates, family, and friends to enjoy food and beverages available for purchase from Carthage’s new dining services vendor, Parkhurst, as well as from local food trucks. Along with various food options, the Firebird Biergarten will offer beer and wine available for purchase. Proceeds from food and beverage purchases will support the senior class gift funds.
Football Game vs Washington University
1 p.m., Art Keller Field Visit our Athletics ticket site to purchase tickets Cheer on the Firebirds in the Homecoming game against the Bears! The half-time show includes the announcement of Homecoming Court and performances from the Carthage Spirit squad.
Class of ’72 Reunion
5 p.m., 128s, Todd Wehr Center Cost: $35 per person — Get tickets! The 50th reunion marks a meaningful milestone for the Class of 1972! Reconnect and share memories with classmates from near and far over dinner and drinks.
Class of ’97 Reunion
5 p.m., Trinity House Cost: $35 per person — Get tickets! New this year! Calling the Class of 1997 to be the first class to celebrate a 25 Year Reunion! Reunite with your classmates and friends over dinner and cocktails.
Women’s Soccer vs Illinois Wesleyan University
5 p.m., Art Keller Field No ticket required Watch the Carthage women’s soccer team compete against Illinois Wesleyan University.
Family Movie Night: ‘Monsters University’
6 p.m., Campbell Student Union Auditorium No ticket required Bring your family to watch the Disney Pixar classic “Monsters University” in the Campbell Student Union Auditorium. Movie snacks and beverages will be provided.
Homecoming Concert
7:30 p.m., A. F. Siebert Chapel No ticket required An annual favorite, this concert from the Music Department brings the Carthage community together with performances by Carthage Choir and the Carthage Wind Orchestra and Concert Band. The concert also features the Carthage Treble Choir as they celebrate 40 years at Carthage with special guest and distinguished alumni soloist Laura Kaeppeler ’10, a Kenosha native and former Miss America. Watch live!
Men’s Soccer vs Illinois Wesleyan University
7:30 p.m., Art Keller Field No ticket required
Cheer on the Firebirds as Carthage men’s soccer takes on Illinois Wesleyan University.
Cooler by the Lake! Trinity House Tent Party
8 p.m.-midnight, Trinity House Cost: $15 per person — Get tickets! New this year! President John Swallow and presidential spouse Cameron Swallow invite you to their home for a backyard dance party under the big tent. Enjoy music, food, drink, and dancing where things are definitely “cooler by the lake!”
10 a.m., A. F. Siebert Chapel No ticket required Alumni, families, and friends are invited to a worship service featuring our campus pastor, the Rev. Kara Baylor.
Meet the President at Kissing Rock
11 a.m., Kissing Rock No ticket required Cap off your Homecoming and Family Weekend with a casual meet and mingle with President John Swallow and Cameron Swallow while enjoying a continental breakfast in a casual outdoor atmosphere.
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