UNL Homecoming Parade & ‘Cornstock’ Festival Set for Friday, Oct. 4 | KLIN

This year’s University of Nebraska–Lincoln homecoming week will reach its peak Friday, Oct. 4, with the 2024 homecoming parade and “Cornstock” festival.

The annual homecoming parade starts at 6 p.m. Friday. The free public parade will start south of the Nebraska Union, moving east on R Street, north on 16th Street, west on Vine Street, south on 14th Street and clockwise on the East Stadium Loop, ending south of the Coliseum.

In addition to floats built by recognized student organizations and community groups, participants include the Cornhusker Marching Band, the Spirit Squad, 2024 homecoming royalty and student groups. A Battle of the Bands finale will follow the parade on the East Stadium Plaza, show casing the two winning bands from a competition hosted earlier in the week at the Bourbon Theatre.

“It takes a small little village to put this all together,” said Jon Gayer, Co-chair of the University of Nebraska parade apart of the University’s homecoming committee. “Everyone is so proud of the work that they do and the energy they put into it. It’s the wonderful culture and wonderful environment of being proud of the University of Nebraska and the Huskers themselves. They are truly the pride of Nebraska.”

The Cornstock Festival, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday on the plaza immediately east of Memorial Stadium.

The event will feature food available for purchase (or free for students with an NCard) from Harper’s Smokehouse, Kouzina, Papi Churros and Rutabagas; free grilled corn and kettle corn; free Pepsi products; mocktails; hair braiding and tinsel; face painters; balloon artists; a temporary tattoo station; and tractor hayrack rides.

The Wick Alumni Center (1520 R St.) will host a Beat Rutgers Drive-Thru Tailgate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4, with Husker swag available.

Student lawn displays will be completed by 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 and judged at noon.

Elections of royalty will take place on students’ MyRED portal Oct. 2 and 3. Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime of the Nebraska-Purdue football game on Oct. 5.