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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will kick off its 2026 Homecoming & Family Weekend with COUGARFEST: Rock the Quad!, featuring a new Route 66-themed drone show—a first for the City of Edwardsville. COUGARFEST will take place from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, September 25 on the Stratton Quad. 

The free outdoor festival will include live music from Jackson & Mars, food trucks, lawn games, and family-friendly activities. The evening highlight will be a drone show featuring more than 450 illuminated drones flying over Lovejoy Library and filling the night sky, with the best viewing from the Stratton Quad. The Route 66-themed drone show is made possible through funding from a Route 66 Centennial Commission Grant.  

COUGARFEST is one of the signature events that kicks off Homecoming & Family Weekend, bringing our students, families, alumni, and community members together on the Quad for a fun and memorable Friday night,” said Cathy Taylor, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and Executive Director of Alumni and Donor Relations. “With SIUE’s connection to historic Route 66, adding a drone show to this year’s celebration is a perfect fit for our ‘All Roads Lead Home’ theme. The show will open with a special SIUE-themed animation before taking us on a journey along Illinois Route 66, featuring some of the iconic landmarks, attractions, and roadside sights that have made the Mother Road so memorable.” 

This year's “All Roads Lead Home” Homecoming theme draws inspiration from the Route 66 Centennial, honoring the milestones and connections that lead alumni, students and families back to SIUE. 

 Admission to COUGARFEST is free, with parking available on campus; food and drinks will be available for purchase from on-site vendors.  

Registration is strongly encouraged at SIUE2026COUGARFEST.eventbrite.com

Read more: COUGARFEST: Rock the Quad!