Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the National Corvette Museum, said he sees a lot of Western red at the museum during Homecoming weekend.

“There’s always a surge in visitors,” he said. “We see a lot of Alumni and parents of students during this weekend. There is definitely a large portion of the visitors sporting the color red.”

Other Bowling Green business owners say they also have a steady record of reaping the benefits from people visiting Western during Homecoming.

Local attractions, such as Chaney’s Dairy Barn, experience a drive in customers as well.

“Everyone wants to come out for some time with the family before the game,” said Carl Chaney owner of Chaney’s Dairy Barn. “We love having new people come see us during this time of the year.”

Annette Madison, a manager at Jackson’s Orchard, said workers enjoy seeing old faces come back to the Orchard.

“Families come to pick pumpkins,” Madison said. “Old students are always coming back to see us during homecoming, too.”

Indianapolis alumnus Kyle Forrest said this weekend will be the first time he has traveled back to Bowling Green for Homecoming since he graduated in 2002.

“Bowling Green has a lot of really different restaurants and cool places that are fun to go see,” he said.

Forrest said his favorite attraction to visit in Bowling Green is Lost River Cave.

“When I was a student, me and my friends would go there whenever we were tired of going to see movies,” he said. “It’s just something fun and interesting to do.”

Rho Lansden is the executive director of the Friends of Lost River Cave and Valley organization.

“Lost River has always been popular among students,” she said. “We welcome all of their guests during homecoming weekend and we hope they come see what we have to offer.”

Forrest says he plans on going to his favorite local restaurant, Mariah’s, while he’s in town.

“It’s a Bowling Green tradition for me,” he said. “The way I see it, you can’t be a truly proud Hilltopper if you aren’t proud of the city, too.”