Princeton City Schools will throw open the gates of its $22 million renovated stadium for a community celebration on Sept. 26, giving Sharonville, Evendale, Woodlawn and Springdale families their first look at Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium at Pat Mancuso Field before competition begins at the new facility.

The "People of Princeton Festival and Stadium Ribbon Cutting Ceremony" runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 11262 Chester Road in Sharonville. The event is open to all residents, alumni, students and supporters and includes a ribbon-cutting, the Pride of Princeton Marching Band's first home performance, food trucks, concessions, games and activities, according to the district.

The open house comes one week before the stadium's competitive debut. Princeton hosts Mason in the homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 2, with kickoff at 7 p.m.

A 65-year-old stadium, reimagined

The original stadium opened in 1961. The renovation, built by Megen Construction, adds a three-story fieldhouse with locker rooms, training rooms, coaches' offices, a press box, concessions and public restrooms. A new practice field, separate home and visitor entries, a visitor team locker room building and additional ADA-compliant parking round out the project.

Princeton students helped design custom graphics for the fieldhouse lobby and the playing field. The architecture draws on the school's Viking mascot, with angular forms meant to evoke the bow of a ship, WCPO reported.

"We know our students, families, alumni, and community have been eagerly anticipating the return to our renovated stadium," Athletic Director Joe Roberts said in the district's Aug. 11 announcement of the updated timeline. "Our priority is ensuring the project is completed the right way."

Delay pushed opening to homecoming

As we reported Aug. 11, district officials determined during a weekly construction meeting that the stadium would not be ready for the start of the fall athletic season. Three September varsity football home games shifted to Roettger Stadium in Lockland: Sept. 4 vs. Colerain, Sept. 11 vs. Sycamore and Sept. 18 vs. Lakota West.

The Vikings open the season Aug. 20 against Archbishop Moeller at Paycor Stadium. Roberts said 2,060 tickets had been sold for that game as of Aug. 14.

Homecoming Week calendar

  • Saturday, Sept. 26: People of Princeton Festival and Stadium Ribbon Cutting, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium
  • Wednesday, Sept. 30: Homecoming Parade and Community Pep Rally, Chester and Sharon Roads; free and open to the public
  • Friday, Oct. 2: Homecoming Football Game vs. Mason, 7 p.m. kickoff (also Staff Appreciation Night and Community Officials Night)
  • Saturday, Oct. 3: All Class Reunion, Princeton Amphitheater, with food trucks, live bands and a kid zone