From giveaways to games to performances, epic celebration planned for Bronco Bash 2025
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A community celebration, a sea of swag, a conduit to lifelong friendships and job connections, a front row seat to the Bronco Marching Band’s epic energy: Western Michigan University’s Bronco Bash is all that and more. The epic tradition, celebrating its 43rd year, is set for Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 3 to 6 p.m.
“Bronco Bash is big; it’s exciting. There are lots of giveaways. Students come here from all over, and sometimes it’s their first time stepping foot on campus or really getting the feel of Western Michigan University. This is an opportunity to showcase what Western is all about,” says Tyler Maruschak, assistant director for campus engagement.
He and a team of student interns have been planning the big event since April. They’re expecting as many as 20,000 people to pack Main Campus for the big day, which serves as the unofficial kickoff to the academic year.
“I’m just really excited to see how students react and all the connections that are made,” says Mikaylah Gardner, a psychology major and Bronco Bash vendor relations intern. “I have always loved planning. And being able to put something big like this together that’s so rooted in tradition and that everyone loves so much is something I’m really proud of.”
“We’re focused on creating an event that connects the campus and community together,” adds Maruschak. “The community is celebrating a lot of wins right now. Western has a new president. We have a national hockey championship. We have cool wins in the Kalamazoo-area as well. And Bronco Bash brings together everyone—students, employees, local nonprofits, businesses and community members—to celebrate all of that as well as to showcase their talents and their services.”
WMU President Russ Kavalhuna will kick off the festivities by firing Boomer, the cannon, for the first time as the University’s leader—but it’s not his first rodeo.
“It’s great to be back for Bronco Bash after attending many years ago as a student living in Ackley Hall,” says Kavalhuna. “Bronco Bash is a staple of campus life and a high-energy kickoff to the start of the academic year. I hope every student soaks up the excitement, makes memories and leaves with plenty of swag.”
The main event
This year, more than 400 vendors including registered student organizations, academic units, campus services, athletic teams, nonprofits and businesses will be represented at Bronco Bash. Many will have free swag to give away, including the crowd favorite refillable popcorn buckets from Celebration Cinema.
“This year, we almost doubled our popcorn bucket order from last year! We know people line up early for those, and we want to make sure as many people have a chance to get one as possible,” Maruschak says.
The Campus Activities Board will also host a raffle to win a meet-and-greet with two-time platinum artist Yung Gravy, who will perform a free tailgate concert before WMU football’s home opener on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Interactive areas throughout Bronco Bash will give visitors plenty of opportunities to engage in fun, from a carnival-style water racing game and mechanical bull to a dunk tank featuring Michigan State Police and a drone soccer area hosted by the College of Aviation. The Geology Club will even bring back its popular gem mining station.
Visitors can interact with Western student-athletes in a Bronco Athletics zone and get photos with all seven of WMU's championship trophies from the past year, including the NCAA Hockey National Championship. There will also be a new yard game area nearby and a cash cage where people can scramble to snag flying money.
“The thing I’m most excited about is probably the photo booth where people can get a strip of photos. We’ll also have a caricature artist,” says Angelina Onkeosy, a marketing major who led coordination of activities as Bronco Bash programming and engagement intern. “We have so many fun things for people to do. We can’t wait for everyone to come out and experience it all.”
New this year, a sensory room will be available inside the WMU Student Center for anyone who needs a break from the party outside. There will be fidget toys, coloring sheets, therapy dogs and more to help visitors relax and decompress.
On the move
Due to the transformative construction project creating pedestrian green space and a gateway to campus, Bronco Bash’s presence will shift a bit, beginning in the area of Sangren Hall and the WMU Student Center and continuing West to the area of Faunce Student Services and Rood Hall.
Visitors should be aware of traffic impacts on campus. Ring Road North and West Michigan Avenue are currently closed at the traffic light near the Student Recreation Center. Organizers expect the main entry points for Bronco Bash to be near Sangren Hall and Rood Hall. There will be free parking available in lots near those areas.
Preparing for the late summer heat, Bronco Bash organizers have coordinated a number of measures to keep everyone safe while having fun. There will be shade tents throughout campus with water and cooling towels available as well as access to air-conditioned buildings. Emergency Medical Services will be centrally located near the University Computing Center, and all Bronco Bash staff members are trained in heat illness prevention.
Impactful experience
More than a big party, Bronco Bash is a place to find belonging and make connections that can define a student’s time at Western.
“Bronco Bash had a butterfly effect for me. Coming to my first bash, I didn’t have any friends or really know anyone. But it’s where I first met my sorority, which I went on to join and find amazing friends. It’s also where I first saw the Campus Activities Board and learned about the fun concerts and events they host and made me want to get involved. And it’s also where I learned about the Bronco Bash internship,” says Onkeosy. “If I never went to Bronco Bash, I would never be where I am today.”
Bronco Bash also provides an avenue for Experience-Driven Learning for interns on the team.
“It’s been a great learning experience,” says Alexandria Bruwer, a food marketing major and Bronco Bash logistics intern. “Logistics is something I want to go into as a career along with business data analytics. Being able to be on campus in an education-conducive environment while actually being able to do logistics for a large event with a huge budget has been really helpful. I’ve been able to take classes I’ve had and really apply what I’ve learned.”
Stay on top of the latest Bronco Bash updates on Instagram or get more information on sponsors and participating vendors online.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.