Traditions are what keep the memories alive. Whether you graduated from college five years ago, or 50, Otterbein University’s Homecoming & Family Weekend is an event for anyone and their families to attend. Bring your spouse, kids and even grandkids and travel back to your college days at Otterbein to reminisce with old friends, relive old memories and have a cheerful weekend celebrating and playing on campus.

Otterbein’s Homecoming & Family weekend will once again return for two days September 15-16. While last year’s 175^th celebration was a big and special one, they will continue to build on the successes from last year for this year’s event and those to come.

The weekend is open to the public, not just alumni! All events are free to attend (including the sporting events), but food and drinks can be purchased separately throughout the weekend.

Check out what you can expect for Homecoming weekend in Westerville.

Friday, September 15: OtterFest
7-9 p.m., Campus Center West Parking Lot

Homecoming & Family Weekend kicks off Friday evening for OtterFest in the Campus Center West parking lot from 7-9 p.m. The event will feature live music by ‘50s and ‘60s rock band, The Moonbats, three food trucks serving up the best BBQ, Greek fare and tacos and a biergarten featuring local brewery, Zaftig Brewing Company.

Saturday, September 16: Homecoming Parade, Celebration, Cardy Zone and OtterFest
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Grove Street

Start the morning at Cardy Zone for kids beginning at 10 a.m. in the Campus Center West parking lot. The area will have a donut and coffee truck to grab breakfast and some caffeine before starting your day.

*Faculty and alumni can attend the Celebration of Otterbein from 9:30-11 a.m. in the Riley Auditorium for the Alumni Awards presentation and State of the University Address, where two non-Alumni will also be honored this year for their exceptional work supporting the University and the Westerville community.

Head outside of Cardy Zone to catch the Homecoming Parade beginning at 11 a.m. As the biggest tradition for homecoming weekend, you won’t want to miss this. The parade starts at The Point at Otterbein on Collegeview Road and ends at Campus Center and will feature the homecoming court, the Otterbein band and many other floats and entertainment. The best place to view the parade is on Grove St.

When the parade is done, head back to Cardy Zone for kids and OtterFest for all day entertainment. The day will include inflatables, a slide, games and crafts, face painting, a juggler, live music, including Nashville recording artist, Otterbein School of Music alum and first place winner of Netflix show “Sing On!”, Allison Asarch ’18. The Ohio Wildlife Center will also be there sharing an educational animal presentation. A ticketed lunch is available and tickets can be purchased on site, as well as hard seltzers and beer from Zaftig Brewing Company.

If you’re looking to get out and see other parts of Otterbein, Otterbein’s women’s soccer team will be taking on Case Western at home at 11 a.m. at Memorial Stadium, and then the men’s football team will be playing against Wilmington College at 3 p.m.

Explore Westerville
Saturday 3 p.m.-Sunday, Uptown Westerville and Beyond

While the event concludes at 3 p.m. Saturday, the fun doesn’t need to stop there! Uptown Westerville and nearby areas are ready to welcome you to enjoy a beautiful Saturday night, or breakfast on Sunday morning before heading back home to recuperate from all the festivities.

Uptown Westerville offers a wide variety of bars, restaurants, shops, and activities for everyone to explore. Plus, the Uptown district is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, allowing visitors to enjoy a beer, glass of wine or a cocktail inside DORA boundaries. Simply purchase drinks from participating DORA establishments and sip and stroll down the streets of Westerville’s historic Uptown.

Here's our recommendations for what to check out while exploring the city:

For dinner and drinks:

1. Temperance Row and Uptown Deli – Check out Westerville’s first brewery opened after the city lifted the dry ban, serving American cuisine and local brews in a casual environment.
2. Asterisk Supper Club – Enjoy this upscale restaurant offering American comfort food in a sophisticated atmosphere.
3. FUSIAN and Fattey Beer Co. – Pair a delicious fast-casual sushi meal with a beverage next door to enjoy together on the FUSIAN patio or inside the new beer shop. You can also grab a bottle of wine to enjoy with your sushi at Good Vibes Winery, Westerville’s only urban winery serving up Ohio-made, internationally grown wine of all kinds.
4. North High Brewery & Brew Pub - Visit Westerville's newest brewery in the new CoHatch Westerville space in Uptown. The brewery will feature their local beers, a full restaurant, outdoor space for events and live music and more.