ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s annual homecoming week will be capped off with the 108th Gypsy Day Parade and homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. This year’s homecoming theme, “Wolves in Candy Land,” promises a tasteful celebration as the Northern and Aberdeen communities come together for this time-honored tradition.
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Main Street, with a wide variety of creative floats, marching bands, and community entries expected to participate. Parade-goers are encouraged to bring chairs and bags for collecting goodies along the route. For everyone’s safety, please remain on the sidewalks and ensure children do not approach the floats.
Parade Details:
The 2024 Gypsy Day Parade will feature 124 floats and 15 bands, including entries from local businesses, organizations, and schools. The parade will start at the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue North, running south along Main Street until 12th Avenue South. To accommodate the parade, there will be no parking along Main Street from 8th Avenue North to 12th Avenue South beginning Friday, Oct. 4.
As the parade marches on, excitement will build for the Gypsy Day football game, where the Northern State Wolves will face off against Bemidji State at 2:30 p.m. in Dacotah Bank Stadium. Tailgating will begin at noon in the Dacotah Bank Stadium parking lot.
Additional Homecoming Events:
The parade and game are part of a week of homecoming festivities running from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, 2024. Other key events include the coronation of the 2024 homecoming royalty, which will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3 in Harvey?and Cynthia?Jewett Theater at the Johnson Fine Arts Center, followed by a bonfire in the Barnett Center parking lot. The Sideliner's luncheon, swim meet, volleyball match, women’s soccer game, and the Steps for Shep 5K race are also highlights of the week.
Homecoming Royalty:
This year’s homecoming king candidates are:
- Simon Bickford (Newman Center)
- Jacob Ebeling (SAAC)
- Braden Freeman (Honors Program)
- Michael Grebner (Residence Hall Association)
- Colton Wicks (TRIO Scholar Association)
The homecoming queen candidates are:
- Ashlyn Haselhorst (Lumin Ministry)
- Nevaeh Meyer (School of Education Clubs)
- Madison Park (Campus Activities Board)
- Ava Pickard (Music Department)
- Randi Schuster (Honors Program)
Schedule of Events:
Wednesday, Oct. 2
6 p.m. – Swim Meet: NSU vs. Jamestown, Aberdeen Family YMCA
Thursday, Oct. 3
6 p.m – Queen and King Coronation, Harvey?and Cynthia?Jewett Theater at the Johnson Fine Arts Center. Bonfire to follow at Barnett Center parking lot
Friday, Oct. 4
12 p.m. – Sideliner’s Luncheon, Kessler’s Champions Room, Barnett Center
6 p.m. – Volleyball Match: NSU vs. Minnesota State at NSU Wachs Arena
6 p.m. – Women’s Soccer Game: NSU vs. University of Sioux Falls at Athletic and Recreation Fields
Saturday, Oct. 5
7 a.m. – Steps for Shep 5K registration, Barnett Center (race starts at 8 a.m.)
9 a.m. – Gypsy Day Parade
12 p.m. – Gypsy Day Tailgate, Dacotah Bank Stadium parking lot
2:30 p.m. – Football Game: Northern State University vs. Bemidji State at Dacotah Bank Stadium
Parade Lineup:
- Color Guard
- BAND - Northern State University
- NSU Parade Marshal
- NSU President
- NSU Outstanding NSU Faculty: Dr. Marmorstein & Dr. Shortt
- NSU Hall of Fame Inductees – Sasha (Hovind) Gallagher & Hannah Kastigar
- NSU Hall of Fame Inductee – John “Jack”