BELOIT – The excitement is building in Beloit as preparations for the 2026 Welcome Home Weekend are officially in full swing. One of the community’s most treasured traditions is shaping up to be a weekend full of hometown pride, fellowship, entertainment, and activities for all ages as alumni and friends return home to celebrate everything that makes Beloit special.
Festivities will kick off Friday evening at Chautauqua Park with Beloit High School graduate Jerod Waggoner, Class of 1998, returning home from Austin, Texas, as the featured entertainer. Friday night activities will take place from 7-10 p.m. and will include free entertainment, supper, a beer garden, kids activities, and plenty of opportunities for fellowship and reconnecting with friends and classmates.
Saturday morning will begin bright and early with the S&S Drug Color Run at 8 a.m. Day-of registration is available, and all proceeds from the event will support Breast Friends of Osborne and Mitchell Counties. Those interested in participating can contact Jerica King at 785-738-2287 for more information.
One of the highlights of the weekend — the beloved Welcome Home Weekend Parade — will begin Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. The parade will once again feature class floats, business entries, classic cars, and festive community participation filling the streets of downtown Beloit. Tom Maxwell will serve as master of ceremonies, introducing the 50-year classes and area veterans beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the corner of Main and Mill. parade entries can be registered Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Fifth and Bell.
Serving as the 2026 Parade Grand Marshal will be Lorna Jones, recognized as Beloit’s oldest living resident. Jones will make her grand entrance escorted on Janet Jorgenson’s motorcycle, adding a memorable and heartfelt touch to this year’s celebration.
Following the parade, activities will move to Chautauqua Park where the community picnic and luncheon festivities will continue throughout the afternoon. Entertainment will be provided by Henry Tice, Beloit High School Class of 2027. Attendees can enjoy lunch, a watermelon stand sponsored by Sahlfeld Chiropractic, pie stand sponsored by Solomon Valley Bank, lemonade stand sponsored by The EyeCare Center, sundae stand sponsored by Dental Designs, a bake sale, dessert auction, beer garden, and much more.
Community members willing to donate pies or baked goods for the pie stand and bake sale are encouraged to drop items off Friday at S&S Home Health.
Another crowd favorite returning this year is the Second Annual Duck Derby, scheduled for 11:45 a.m. at the Chautauqua Pool Lazy River. Two races will take place this year. The first race will feature $30 ducks competing for a $1,000 grand prize. The second race — the Golden Duck Race — will include only 100 ducks sold at $100 each, with participants competing for a possible $5,000 payout through a 50/50 split pot. ducks can be purchased at S&S Home health.
At 12:30 p.m., Dennis Shoemaker will auction off desserts crafted by some of the area’s most talented bakers during the Dessert Auction, which is expected to once again become one of the weekend’s sweetest attractions.
Saturday afternoon will continue with tours of the Little Red Schoolhouse from 1-2 p.m. The Mitchell County Historical Society will also present its popular “Talking Tombstones” program at the Mitchell County Museum beginning at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing local history to life in a unique and engaging way.
Tours of Beloit High School and the newly completed Matous Family Sports Complex will be offered Saturday from 3-4 p.m., giving alumni and visitors the opportunity to see the incredible improvements made possible through community support and generosity.
Saturday night will wrap up with the always popular Cruisin’ Mill from 7-10 p.m., featuring music and a cruising playlist by K D Country 94.1.
The weekend festivities will continue Sunday morning with the Beloit High Booster Club Golf Tournament teeing off at 9 a.m.
Memorial Day events will conclude the celebration on Monday, May 24, beginning with a Memorial Mass at St. John’s Cemetery at 9 a.m. followed by a Veterans Recognition Ceremony at Elmwood Cemetery at 10 a.m.
With alumni returning from across the country and activities planned throughout the entire weekend, organizers say the celebration truly highlights the spirit and pride of the Beloit community.
“The 2026 Welcome Home Weekend is slated to be one of the best ones yet!” said Heather Johnson. “It is such an amazing opportunity for our community hosting all of the alumni that come back to join us for this special weekend.”
For questions regarding Welcome Home Weekend activities, contact Heather Johnson at 785-738-2287.
