Homecoming is an exciting time, bursting with Princeton Pride. It is a time when our communities unite to celebrate our Viking traditions. Princeton High School is proud to announce the kickoff to this year's homecoming festivities, starting at the People of Princeton Celebration and Festival event on Saturday, September 26, and a very special All-Class Reunion Weekend, October 2–3, 2026!

Saturday, September 26

The celebration begins Saturday, September 26, with the People of Princeton Festival and the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium and Pat Mancuso Field. From 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Viking Village will come alive with food trucks, games, musical performances, free entertainment, community partner and vendor booths, giveaways, and tours of the newly renovated stadium.

The celebration officially kicks off at 11:00 a.m. sharp with the ribbon-cutting for the new track, field, and field house, followed by a performance from the Pride of Princeton Marching Band at 11:15 a.m. Recognitions, guest speakers, and music will begin at 11:30 a.m., with stadium tours available from 11:45 a.m.–1:45 p.m.

Throughout the afternoon, guests can enjoy booths and entertainment near the Princeton Murals, pick-up fútbol games behind Princeton High School, and performances throughout Viking Village. Mariachi musicians and entertainers will perform from noon–1:00 p.m., followed by a special Heritage Hill performance at 1:30 p.m.

And the celebration doesn’t end when the festival does! Stay at Viking Village for the first home athletic competition at the newly renovated Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium and Pat Mancuso Field. At 4:00 p.m., the Princeton Vikings Girls Junior Varsity Soccer team will host Miamisburg, marking an exciting new chapter for Viking athletics.

Wednesday, September 30

The festivities continue on Wednesday, September 30, with a Homecoming Parade. This year's parade theme will be the “Night on the Bayou.”  The parade will feature floats, cars, and walkers representing each Princeton elementary school, PCMS, and PHS classes. Mayor Lawrence C. Hawkins III will serve as Grand Marshal.

The parade will begin lining up at 5:45 p.m. at Princeton Community Middle School, with participants encouraged to park by 5:30 p.m. before surrounding roads close. The parade steps off at 6:00 p.m., traveling east on Sharon Road, turning left onto Chester Road, and concluding at Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium. Following the parade, the community is invited to a free Homecoming Pep Rally at Pat Mancuso Field.

On Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd, an All Class Reunion will be held.

Friday, October 2

The first home Varsity Football game on the new Pat Mancuso field will take place on Friday evening, October 2, when the Princeton Vikings will meet the Mason Comets. Kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $8.00 (Adult/Student). Students can buy Pre-sale tickets at lunch for $5.00. Alumni can purchase a special-rate ticket for $5.00 starting Monday, September 21st at www.vikenation.or/tickets. 

On Friday, October 2nd, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., alumni are invited to gather at the Princeton Education Foundation Event Tent, 100 Viking Way, for a football tailgate before the Princeton Vikings take on the Mason Comets at 7:00 p.m. All alumni and community members are invited to the Princeton cookout under the large Scarlet Tent on the lawn/parking lot at Viking Village.

Pre-game activities include Community Officials recognition and Staff Appreciation. Coach Pat Mancuso will be in attendance. 

Halftime will feature the Pride of Princeton Marching Band, recognition of the Homecoming Court, and the crowning of the 2026 Homecoming Queen and King. Princeton graduating classes celebrating milestone anniversaries (Classes ending in 1 or 6)  will also receive a special shout-out during the game.

Following the game, all Princeton alumni are invited to continue celebrating together at the All-Class Reunion Party, being held at the Delta Hotel on Chester Road.

Saturday, October 3

The week's homecoming events will culminate on Saturday, October 3rd, providing even more opportunities to reconnect, give back, and celebrate Princeton.

All are invited to attend the All-Class Reunion from noon–5:00 p.m. at the PHS Mural Amphitheater. All Princeton alumni are invited to attend, mingle, reconnect with old friends, and meet Vikings from across the generations. The afternoon will feature music, Princeton alumni food trucks, a Kid Zone, and an Alumni Car Show at the Queen City Racketball Fitness Center Parking lot.

Individual class tents will offer an opportunity to show off your class-year pride! Alumni are encouraged to decorate their tents however they like with class memorabilia, photos, signs, banners, school colors, or anything else that celebrates their time at Princeton. While each class will have its own gathering space, the goal is for everyone to move around, reconnect, and celebrate with alumni from all Princeton graduating classes.

The Official After Reunion Party wraps up the weekend, starting at 5:30 p.m. on October 3rd, at Pike 2 Bar & Grill, 10010 Springfield Pike. 

Once a classmate, always a Viking! We invite our alumni, families, students, staff, and entire VikeNation community to come home, reconnect, and celebrate the traditions and relationships that make Princeton special.

For information about the Alumni Car Show: Contact Derrick Robinson at 513-338-7713

To enter your group in the parade, please complete this form and contact Principal Stallings at 513-864-1500.

To stay where the celebration is happening, book at the Delta Hotel in Sharonville at 513-779-3200. 

AS ALWAYS…GO VIKES!