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” Hurley & Kretchman Coaching Award – Francis Zacher
- NSU Hall of Fame Inductees – 1984-1985 Wrestling Team
- NSU Distinguished Alum/Philanthropist – Ron Rivett & Graduate of the Last Decade – Douglas Wiitala
- NSU Alumni Association
- NSU Athletics Department
- BAND - Aberdeen Central High School
- US Senator John Thune
- Mayor Travis Schaunaman
- Cancelled
- NSU State Cheer
- NSU Dance Team
- NSU Queen & Marshal
- NSU Student Homecoming Committee
- BAND - Northwestern Area School
- NSU Nursing
- Newman Center
- NSU Tae Kwon Do and Kumdo Club
- NSU Active Minds
- NSU Honors Program
- SAI Gamma Tau/Aberdeen Area Alumni
- S.D. School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- NSU International Programs
- BAND - Ipswich Public School
- Legacy Financial Partners
- Pro Ag Supply Inc
- Horton, Inc.
- Pierson Ford-Lincoln
- Sanford Aberdeen
- Hub City Radio
- eXp Realty
- Dacotah Bank
- Plains Commerce Bank
- BAND - Holgate/Simmons Combined Middle School
- Exchange Club of Aberdeen
- FirePlace Glo/ AdiroStyle
- Ziggis Coffee
- Legend's Liquor & Casino
- Aberdeen Fire Rescue
- My Place Hotels
- Jark/Worlie Auction Service
- Redfield Ford
- Harr Motors
- BAND - Hoven High School
- Crafted Interiors
- North Highland UMC
- Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Horizon Health - Aberdeen
- Aberdeen BMX
- Aberdeen Police Department
- Agtegra Cooperative
- BAND - Eureka Public Schools
- Cool Cart Parts LLC
- Aberdeen Gymnastics Association
- RDO Equipment
- Brown County Democrats
- Aberdeen Area Horsemen's Association
- Aberdeen Family YMCA
- LifeServe Blood Center
- BAND - Aberdeen Roncalli
- Miss Minnesota Scholarship Organization
- Derian Lodge and Derian Place Senior Living
- House Doctors Painting and Restoration
- Hub City Axe Throwing
- Aberdeen Area Girl Scouts
- DAV Chapter 13
- Lighthouse Preschool
- BAND - Groton Area High School
- Sidney L Smith Post, The American Legion
- Caleb's Aquatics
- Aberdeen Youth Wrestling Club
- Dakotaland Federal Credit Union
- BAND - Warner High School
- Aberdeen Optimist Club
- Budget Furniture
- Yelduz Shrine Temple
- Miss Aberdeen Committee
- BAND - Leola Public Schools
- Kristie Fiegen for SD Public Utilties Commission
- Brown County Fair and 4-H
- SkateAway
- Miss Rodeo Aberdeen Queens
- Crawford Trucks & Equipment, Inc.
- BAND - Redfield High School
- Midstates\QQP
- Aberdeen Hockey Association
- Pop's Bayou Mamas LLC
- First Interstate Bank
- Aberdeen Rural Firefighters
- BAND - Miller High School
- American Bank & Trust
- Miss South Dakota
- South Dakota Snow Queen Festival
- Miss Hub City Org
- Aberdeen Health & Rehab
- Drift Busters Snowmobile Club
- BAND - Sully Buttes Public Schools
- Marine Corps League Glacial Lakes Detachment 852
- Roncalli High School
- The Salvation Army - Aberdeen
- Brown County Republicans
- The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts
- C.C. Croal Post 17 Veterans of Foreign Wars
- BAND - Britton Public School
- ReadiTech
- A-1 Sanitation & Recycling LLC
- Kessler's Grocery
- Kore Cares
- Go Green Insulation
- TranSource Truck and Equipment
- The Aberdeen Insider
- Tables and Chairs to Go
- First Reformed Church
- Avera
- El Riad Shrine Watertown Unit
- Moose Lodge #590
- Stern Oil
- South Dakota Army National Guard
- Aberdeen Swim Club
- JGE – Bobcat of Aberdeen
- Area Federal Credit Union
- Hub City Athletics
- First Premier Realty
- A+ Realty
- S.D. Property Rights and Local Control Alliance
- Diesel Machinery, Inc.
- Wireless World
- House of Glass, Inc.
- BigIron Auctions
- Butler Machinery Company
- Helm Marine
- Peterson Motorsports
- Aberdeen Christian School
- Titan Machinery
