NSU Marching Band marching on Main Street in Aberdeen, SD

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University will celebrate its 125th anniversary and annual homecoming week with the 110th Gypsy Day Parade and homecoming football game on Saturday, Sept. 26. This year's homecoming theme, "125 Year Anniversary," brings together Northern State University and the Aberdeen community for a week of celebration honoring the university's rich history and bright future.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Main Street, with more than 130 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 2026 Gypsy Day Parade will feature entries from local businesses, organizations, schools and community groups. The parade will start at the intersection of North Main Street and Eighth Avenue Northeast, running south along Main Street until 12th Avenue Southeast. To accommodate the parade, there will be no parking along Main Street from Eighth Avenue Northeast to 12th Avenue Southeast beginning at midnight Friday, Sept. 25.

As the parade marches on, excitement will build for the Gypsy Day football game, where the Northern State Wolves will face off against the University of Mary 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. 21 to Sept. 27, 2026. This year's celebration is especially significant as Northern marks its 125th anniversary with several special events.

Homecoming Royalty

This year's homecoming queen candidates are:

  • Harley Davis
  • Tevyn Lutz
  • Paige Stevens
  • Kaisha Van Engen

This year's homecoming king candidates are:

  • Trey Austell
  • Isaac Johnson
  • Kaden St. Pierre

Schedule of Events

Thursday, Sept. 24

  • 6 p.m. — Queen and King Coronation, Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater at the Johnson Fine Arts Center. Burning of the W to follow in the Barnett Center parking lot.
  • 7:30 p.m. — President, Alumni and Friends Musical Show, Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater at the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

Friday, Sept. 25

  • 1 p.m. — Investiture Ceremony for President Alan LaFave, Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater at the Johnson Fine Arts Center.
  • 2-5 p.m. — Northern State University Open Houses, multiple campus locations.
  • 6 p.m. — Women's Soccer: NSU vs. Minnesota Crookston, Athletic and Recreation Fields.

Saturday, Sept. 26

  • 7 a.m. — Steps for Shep 5K registration, Barnett Center.
  • 9 a.m. — Gypsy Day Parade, Main Street.
  • Noon — Gypsy Day Tailgate, Dacotah Bank Stadium parking lot.
  • 2:30 p.m. — Football Game: Northern State University vs. University of Mary, Dacotah Bank Stadium.

Parade Lineup

  1. Color Guard Troop 188
  2. Exchange Club of Aberdeen
  3. NSU Marching Band, Cheer, Dance and Thunder
  4. NSU Foundation — Parade Marshals Rick Shamis and Rhonda Rylance
  5. NSU Foundation — President Alan and Kari LaFave
  6. NSU Foundation — Outstanding Faculty Dr. Darci Bultema and Dr. Christian Pirlet
  7. NSU Foundation — Distinguished Alumni Kelly Weaver and the late David Volk
  8. NSU Foundation — Graduate of the Last Decade Daniel Gallagher and Kretchman Coaching Award recipient Arlin Likness
  9. NSU Foundation — Hall of Fame inductees Kelsey Chambers, Rob Lewis, Miranda Obaniana, Drew Smith and David Snelling
  10. NSU Foundation Alumni Association
  11. Gov. Larry Rhoden
  12. Mayor Travis Schaunaman
  13. NSU Royal Order of Gyps
  14. NSU Homecoming Committee
  15. NSU Department of Nursing
  16. NSU International Program
  17. NSU Honors Program
  18. NSU Tae Kwon Do and Kumdo Club
  19. NSU St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center
  20. Aberdeen Central High School Marching Band
  21. Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center
  22. Primrose Retirement Communities
  23. Kessler's Grocery Store
  24. Dacotah Bank
  25. Aberdeen Family YMCA
  26. Aberdeen Holgate/Simmons Middle School Marching Band
  27. The Aberdeen Insider
  28. Aberdeen BMX
  29. Plains Commerce Bank
  30. Brown County Democrats
  31. Babcock Family Chiropractic
  32. Doeden Investment Group
  33. Aberdeen Roncalli Marching Band
  34. Avera St. Luke's
  35. Driftbusters Snowmobile Club
  36. Area Federal Credit Union
  37. Harr Motors
  38. Legacy Financial Partners
  39. Hub City Radio
  40. Hoven School Marching Band
  41. Caleb's Aquatics
  42. North Highland United Methodist Church
  43. Thrivent
  44. Crafted Interiors
  45. Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau
  46. Pierson Ford
  47. Northwestern Area School Marching Band
  48. Agtegra Cooperative
  49. FirePlaceGlo/AdiroStyle
  50. Horizon Health
  51. RDO Equipment Company
  52. Disabled American Veterans
  53. Vacant
  54. Ipswich School Marching Band
  55. Miss Aberdeen Committee
  56. The Salvation Army
  57. Aberdeen Swim Club
  58. Aberdeen American Legion Post 24
  59. Aberdeen Post of The American Legion
  60. Crawford Trucks and Equipment
  61. Eureka High School Marching Band
  62. Aberdeen Optimist Club
  63. Aberdeen Hockey Association
  64. South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  65. ReadiTech
  66. Lighthouse Preschool
  67. SoDak Realty
  68. Redfield School Marching Band
  69. Miss Rodeo Queens
  70. Brown County Fair and 4-H
  71. Aberdeen Rural Fire Department
  72. Hub City Soccer
  73. Merxbauer Maier VanLaecken Dental Center
  74. Furreal Pawsibilities
  75. Leola School Marching Band
  76. Aberdeen Fire and Rescue
  77. Scottish Rite
  78. South Dakota Snow Queen Festival
  79. Aberdeen Police Department
  80. Yelduz Shriners
  81. The Den Bar and Grill
  82. Miller School Marching Band
  83. Weinmeister for Sheriff
  84. Miss South Dakota Scholarship Organization
  85. Vacant
  86. Houston Engineering
  87. Skateaway
  88. Brown County Republicans
  89. Frederick Area School Marching Band
  90. CC Croal Post 17 Veterans of Foreign Wars
  91. Dakota Broadcasting
  92. Nikki G for South Dakota
  93. Sammy's
  94. JGE-Bobcat of Aberdeen
  95. B&M Tunes
  96. Sully Buttes Marching Band
  97. Budget Furniture
  98. eXp Realty
  99. AARP Aberdeen
  100. Jack/Worlie Auction Service and Jark Real Estate
  101. House of Glass
  102. Modern Woodmen of America
  103. Aberdeen Christian School Marching Band
  104. 4K Farms/Java Community Club
  105. Wild Vines Pumpkin Patch
  106. First Interstate Bank
  107. Barranco for South Dakota
  108. Aberdeen Moose Lodge 590
  109. CASA of Fifth Judicial Circuit
  110. Groton Area Marching Band
  111. First Premier Realty
  112. MEGA Construction/Go Green Insulation
  113. Aberdeen Wrestling Club
  114. Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce
  115. Twin City Fan
  116. Daughters of the American Revolution
  117. Watertown High School Marching Band
  118. First Reformed Church
  119. Kore Cares In-Home Services
  120. South Dakota Army National Guard
  121. Performance Oil
  122. Homestead Construction
  123. Abode Chiropractic
  124. Sorensen for Sheriff
  125. Dacotah Prairie Museum
  126. Aberdeen Aqua Addicts Ski Team
  127. Jared Pearson State Farm
  128. Harbor Freight
  129. Transource Truck and Equipment
  130. Great Plains Concrete Pumping
  131. Hangar 9
  132. Titan Machinery

For a full schedule of events, visit northern.edu.