Blackburn Homecoming & Family Weekend

Blackburn College is welcoming alumni, families and friends back to Carlinville for Homecoming & Family Weekend, September 25–27, and this year, Carlinville is invited to be part of the celebration, too.

With the theme “A Blackburn Road Trip: Where All Roads Lead Back to Blackburn,” approximately 500 guests are expected throughout the weekend as Beavers from near and far return to reconnect, celebrate and make new memories.

And while plenty will be happening on campus, Blackburn is intentionally bringing Homecoming into Carlinville while also inviting the community onto campus.

Homecoming Is for Carlinville, Too

You don't have to be a Blackburn alum to join the fun!

Blackburn wants the entire Carlinville community to know that Homecoming & Family Weekend is an invitation for all of us to be part of the celebration.

Neighbors, families, businesses and friends of the College are invited to come to campus, enjoy Homecoming activities and help welcome Blackburn alumni home.

Help Us Welcome Them Back to Carlinville

For our business community, Homecoming is also an opportunity to help make Carlinville part of the experience for the hundreds of visitors coming to town.

Consider putting out a Welcome Blackburn Alumni message, adding some red and black to your business, offering a Homecoming special or simply giving visitors an extra-warm welcome when they walk through your doors.

For many alumni, their memories of Blackburn include Carlinville, too. This is a chance to welcome them back to a place that was once home while also introducing today's Blackburn families and visitors to our community.

Barney's Hide & Squeak Returns!

Barney the Beaver is heading back into Carlinville for the second edition of Barney's Hide & Squeak.

Barney will be hiding throughout participating Carlinville businesses, giving alumni, students, families and community members a fun reason to explore town, visit businesses and see if they can find him along the way.

It's a fun, family-friendly way to bring a little bit of Blackburn Homecoming into Carlinville.

Take the Scenic Route Friday Night

Friday evening, Homecoming heads into town again with the Scenic Route Bar Crawl.

The evening begins with Cocktails & Karaoke at the Jaenke Alumni Center at 7 PM. Beginning at 7:20 PM, participants can board the Blackburn shuttle, which will make a continuous loop through participating Carlinville establishments before returning to campus at midnight.

See Miles Station Live Saturday

On Saturday evening, Carlinville is invited to head to campus for live music from Miles Station!

Saturday, September 26 | 5:00 PM
Demuzio Center Courtyard at Blackburn College

Bring your family or friends and enjoy an evening of live music as part of Homecoming & Family Weekend.

Let's Celebrate Together

From athletics, reunions and traditions on campus to activities that bring alumni and visitors into Carlinville, Homecoming weekend is an opportunity for Blackburn and Carlinville to celebrate together.

So whether you're welcoming alumni into your business, searching for Barney, enjoying an event downtown or heading to campus for Miles Station, consider this your invitation to be part of Homecoming weekend.

After all, if all roads lead back to Blackburn, those roads lead back to Carlinville, too.

Blackburn Homecoming & Family Weekend
September 25–27, 2026
Blackburn College + Carlinville