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The annual Paint the Paws tradition will take place on Tuesday Oct. 20.
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2026 Paint the Paws Scheduled for Oct. 20; Traffic Patterns Adjusted

October 7, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are invited to join the annual tradition of Paint the Paws from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Paint the Paws is a time-honored tradition where the WIU community comes together during Homecoming to repaint over 200 Leatherneck pawprints along University Drive and Western Avenue. The event provides an opportunity for community members to paint the path leading alumni and friends "back home" to Western for Homecoming.

Student groups, campus faculty, staff and alumni interested in participating should register online at wiu.presence.io/form/homecoming-paint-the-paws-registration-form-2026.

Participants should arrive at 11:30 a.m. to check in and receive their starting location. Hotdogs and chips, as well as all painting supplies, will be provided for participants.

To ensure the safety and security of all participants, drivers are encouraged to avoid using University Drive and Western Avenue between 11:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. During the event, traffic patterns in the following areas will be changed to two-way traffic: southbound lanes on Western Avenue, starting at Malpass Library; a portion of the eastbound lanes of University Drive and a portion of the westbound lanes on University Drive.

The two northbound lanes on Western Avenue, which are closest to Malpass Library and Stipes, Morgan and Waggoner halls, will be closed from the Library to the intersection of University Drive. In addition, the two eastbound lanes on University Drive, which are closest to Western Hall, will be closed from Waggoner Hall to the vehicle entrance into Q-Lot and two westbound lanes on University Drive.

Paint the Paws is presented by the WIU Alumni Association. For questions, please contact alumni@wiu.edu or call 309-298-1914. A complete list of Homecoming activities can be found at wiu.edu/homecoming.

Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing