ABERDEEN, S.D. – A warm start to Northern State University’s homecoming week will cool down to a crisp autumn day for the 107th annual Gypsy Day Parade and football game on Saturday. This year’s homecoming theme is Wolves Go to Vegas.
Parade-goers might need to bundle up. The early morning could drop into the low 30s and frost is expected, according to a National Weather Service spokesman. By the afternoon, temperatures should reach around 60 degrees, which is typical for this time of year.
There are 118 floats and 14 bands expected to participate in the parade this year. Bring your chairs and a bag for goodies! For the safety of everyone, all parade-goers are asked to stay on the sidewalks and prevent children from approaching the floats.
Reminder: There is no parking along Main Street, from 7th Avenue North to 12th Avenue South, starting Friday, in preparation for Saturday’s parade.
The week’s festivities will also include Wolves athletic events, the NSU Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni banquet, and coronation of a queen and king.
The 2023 Queen and King candidates are:
King: Jeremy Sommer, Clayton Randall, Cody Brouwer, Dylan Grundstrom, Augustin (Gus) Reede
Queen: Kayla Jensen, Jordan Hermansen, Gabbi Dimatteo, Aunna Cloos, Maddie Gonzales
Schedule of events
Thursday, Oct. 5
5 p.m. Queen and King coronation and pep rally, Krikac Auditorium, with bonfire to follow in Barnett Center parking lot
Friday, Oct. 6
Noon Sideliner’s luncheon, Kessler’s Champions Room, Barnett Center
6 p.m. Swim meet, NSU vs Jamestown, Aberdeen Family YMCA
Saturday, Oct. 7
7-7:30 a.m. Steps for Shep 5k registration, Barnett Center. Preregister online
8 a.m. Steps for Shep 5k race and walk begin, Barnett Center
9 a.m. Parade starts
10 a.m. NSU softball home run derby, Koehler hall of fame field
Noon Alumni association tailgate, Dacotah Bank Stadium parking lot
2:30 p.m. Football game starts, NSU vs Minot State, Dacotah Bank Stadium
Band and floats
1. Color Guard
2. Exchange Club of Aberdeen
3. BAND - Northern State University
4. NSU Parade Marshall
5. NSU President
6. NSU Royalty - Queen and King
7. NSU Homecoming Royalty - Student Involvement and Leadership
8. NSU Dance Team
9. BAND - Aberdeen Roncalli
10. Cancelled
11. US Senator John Thune
12. Cancelled
13. Mayor Travis Schaunaman
14. NSU Alumni Association
15. NSU Foundation - Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni
16. BAND - Aberdeen Central High School
17. NSU Foundation - Outstanding NSU Faculty
18. NSU Biggest Fan
19. NSU Honors Program
20. NSU Student of the Decade
21. NSU Royal Order of the Gyps
22. NSU Tae Kwon Do Strongheart
23. NSU International Programs
24. Newman Center
25. NSU Active Minds
26. BAND – Northwestern Area
27. Dacotah Bank
28. Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
29. Harr Motors
30. Agtegra Cooperative
31. Aberdeen Aqua Addicts Waterski Team
32. Legacy Financial Partners, Ameriprise Financial
33. Pierson Ford
33A. South Dakota Snow Queen
34. BAND - Hoven High School
35. Aberdeen Gymnastics Association
36. North Highland UMC
37. Kore Cares
38. Cancelled
39. Yelduz Shriners
40. BAND - Holgate and Simmons Middle School
41. Groton Ford
42. LifeServe Blood Center
43. Miss Rodeo Aberdeen Queens
44. Hub City Radio
45. Aberdeen Police Department
46. Aberdeen Hockey Association
47. BAND - Mobridge Pollock School District
48. The Salvation Army
49. Chapter 13 Aberdeen Disabled American Veterans
50. Aberdeen Fire Rescue
51. Plains Commerce Bank
52. Avera St. Luke's and Avera Mother Joseph Manor
53. Sanford Health
54. Girl Scouts-- Dakota Horizons
55. BAND - Leola School
56. American Legion Sidney L. Smith Post 24
57. Cool Cart Parts LLC
58. Lighthouse Preschool
59. Budget Furniture
60. Aberdeen BMX
61. American Bank & trust
62. Kessler's Inc
63. Aberdeen Youth Wrestling Club
64. CorTrust Bank
65. BAND - Eureka High School
66. RDO Equipment
67. Brown County Republicans
68. Climate Control
69. Northern Electric Cooperative
70. Horton Holding Inc
71. South Dakota Army National Guard
72. Derian Lodge
73. BAND - Groton High School
74. Marine Corps League Glacial Lakes Detachment 852
75. Stilettos on Steel
76. Horizon Health Care Inc/Aberdeen Community Health Center
77. BAND - Miller High School
78. Aberdeen Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club
79. Brown County 4-H
80. House Doctors Painting and Restoration
81. Bigiron Auctions
82. Wireless World
83. BAND - Edmunds Central High School
84. SDSU Accelerated Nursing
85. Driftbuster Snowmobile Club
86. Aberdeen Family YMCA
87. Go Green Insulation
88. FirePlace Glo
89. Brown County Democrats
90. BAND - Redfield High School
91. Midstates\QQP
92. Dakotaland Federal Credit Union
93. Aberdeen Area CVB
94. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
95. James Valley Tractor Club
96. Caleb's Aquatics
97. BAND - Bowdle School
98. SD State Treasurer
99. Aberdeen Rural Firefighters
100. Crawford Trucks & Equipment
101. Aberdeen Roncalli Royalty Float
102. BAND - Warner High School
103. Allevity Entertainment
104. Dakota Broadcasting
105. Dirksen Organic Beef Farm
106. Area Federal Credit Union
107. Buffalo Wild Wings
108. A-1 Sanitation & Recycling, LLC
109. Aberdeen Health & Rehab
110. BAND - Britton-Hecla High School
111. Stern Oil
112. Beyond The Balloon
113. JGE
114. Aberdeen Swim Club
115. Butler Machinery
116. Dunn Brothers Coffee
117. Better Bears and Crafts
118. BAND - Sully Buttes
119. Aberdeen Optimist Club
120. Miss Aberdeen Committee
121. Modern Day Health Care
122. Aberdeen Christian School
123. Titan Machinery
124. BAE Systems
125. Jark Real Estate
126. Jark Worlie Auction Service
127. Lions Club
128. BAND - Watertown
129. Hepper’s Motor Sports
130. Pop's Bayou Mama's
131. Hub City Athletics
132. Readi Tech