(PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BAND … Members of Wauseon’s Marching Band prepare to participate in the 2025 Wauseon Homecoming Parade.
(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BINGO … The bingo tent was active all throughout the weekend during Wauseon’s annual Homecoming event.
FOOD … Many different sorts of food and drink was available during this year’s Homecoming event in Wauseon. Here, B&E’s Lemonade made drinks that were fresh and cold.
BIG 6 … The Big 6 wheel was onsite for this year’s annual Homecoming event in Wauseon. Like bingo, this game was another popular spot during the event.
PERFORMANCE … Several bands performed live this year during Wauseon’s annual Homecoming event. Here, Cherry Street Revival performs on stage.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The 2025 Wauseon Homecoming returned to Biddle Park for its second year, offering a weekend packed with food, entertainment, games, and local tradition.
Although carnival rides were absent this year, organizers made sure the event remained a lively and inviting celebration for families and visitors of all ages.
The event kicked off on Thursday, July 24, with the midway opening at 5:00 p.m., followed by lawn games, craft tents, food stands, and community favorites like the Big 6 Wheel and the dunk tank.
The entertainment lineup then began with a performance by Sam Dell on the main stage, setting the tone for the weekend. That energy carried into the evening’s highlight, the annual Wauseon Queen Pageant.
Friday brought even more activity and a broader range of attractions. Inflatables were added to the festivities, giving children more interactive options, alongside lawn games like cornhole, Connect 4, bowling-style football, and giant Jenga.
The midway reopened at 5:00 p.m. with food vendors, craft tents, a dunk tank, and bingo filling the park with sights, sounds, and smells reminiscent of a traditional town festival.
Live music took center stage again at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by Aftermath, the 2024 Battle of the Bands champion.
At 8:00 p.m., the evening continued with Walt Sanders & The Cadillac Band bringing “One Night With You: Reflections of Elvis” to life for the crowd.
Saturday’s events launched with a traditional patriotic-themed Grand Parade at 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by the reopening of the midway and activity areas.
The BBQ tent returned with its highly anticipated “Famous Chicken BBQ”, while the rest of the day featured inflatables for children, lawn games, crafters, and a variety of sports tournaments including sand volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, and men’s slow pitch softball.
A major highlight throughout the event was the wide variety of food options available. More than a dozen vendors lined the park, offering everything from pizza and BBQ to tacos, lemonade, and sweets.
Favorites like Barnyard Subs & Pizza, Wicked Witches BBQ, Pancho’s Mexican Grill, K&K Funnel Cakes, and Tay’s Café were onsite, giving attendees plenty of choices no matter their craving. Each vendor operated on their own schedule but collectively provided constant aroma and flavor throughout the grounds.
Live performances resumed Saturday afternoon with Borderline delivering a mix of classic rock and country.
Later in the evening, the 2025 Battle of the Bands took over the stage, closing out the musical entertainment before the Grand Prize Drawing brought the homecoming to an end at 10:00 p.m.
Though some may have missed the carnival rides traditionally associated with the event, organizers worked hard to fill that gap with family-friendly alternatives.
From inflatables and oversized lawn games to a consistent flow of live music and flavorful foods, the event retained its classic feel while adapting to new challenges.
The dedicated volunteer committee, affectionately known as the “Red Shirts,” continued to uphold the legacy of the Wauseon Homecoming with energy, creativity, and deep-rooted community pride.
This year marked the 90th celebration of Wauseon’s Homecoming, a milestone that speaks to the enduring connection between the event and the people it brings together.
While the attractions may change over time, the heart of the homecoming remains the same, a celebration of community, tradition, and togetherness.