As the countdown begins until the 6 Blanchardville-Pecatonica Homecoming festivities begin next weekend, we wanted to remind everyone about the detour on Saturday, 9/12/26, which allows us to shut down Main Street for the 2026 Homecoming street dance and other festivities. [Note that detour signs will begin to go up Thursday but are not effective until times as noted in this article.]
The Blanchardville/Pecatonica HS Alumni Association, as approved by the Blanchardville Village Board, the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Lafayette County Highway Department, is advising the community of the detour route [as shown on the detour map] for next Saturday’s Homecoming festivities in Blanchardville. The detour will be effective on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13. Please note that the route will follow through residential areas so for large machinery, semis and/or oversized semis it would be recommended to find an alternate route for that time frame.
If coming into Blanchardville from the North on Highway 78 and/or CTH F, the detour route itself will follow across the bridge and then an immediate left turn to go East onto Mill Street, then South onto Mason Street, then proceeding East onto Curve Street, and finally South onto East Street before ending back on the regular route on Highway 78/School Street. The route follows the same coming into town from the South and heading North where you will enter at East Street, etc. There will be a slight interruption of this route during the parade but there will be someone directing traffic at School Street on both ends. If coming in from the West on Highway F (down the “big hill”) where it hits South Main Street, be advised that traffic will be completely stopped there for the duration of the hour-long parade. Plan accordingly !!
Another reminder: West Elm Street will be closed effective 6:30 a.m. on Friday, 9/11/26, for tent setup and will be re-opened again sometime on Sunday, September 13, as soon as the tents come down. East Elm Street will be closed beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, 9/12, and will re-open again Sunday morning once the porta-pots are removed.
Please note that on Homecoming Saturday (9/12) there will NOT be any handicapped parking stalls available on East Elm Street effective early 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning due to the vendor fair or beside Kundert’s Market at 10:00 a.m. and later due to the detour. There will however be EXTRA temporary designated handicapped parking spots located in front of the police station, Village Hall parking lot and in front of the EMS building. Look for the orange cones in those areas.
Thank you for your consideration and attention to these changes while we enjoy the Homecoming weekend !!
Submitted by Shari O’Connor, Secretary, Blanchardville/Pecatonica Alumni Association
