Homecoming Parade

The Cornhusker Marching Band shows their spirti as they march past the judges table in front of Memorial Stadium. Homecoming Parade and Cornstalk. September 30, 2022. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communication.
  • ENTRIES OPEN:  Aug 1, 2024
  • ENTRIES CLOSE:  5 p.m. Sept 25, 2024
  • MANDATORY PARADE MEETING FOR STUDENT GROUPS:  6 p.m. Sept 24, 2024 @ Nebraska Union, Regency A
  • PARADE LINE UP TIME:  5 p.m. Oct 4, 2024
  • PARADE START: 6 p.m. Oct 4, 2024
     

Register a Parade Entry

 

OVERVIEW

The annual procession of music, cheers, and Husker pride courses through the heart of City Campus – featuring the Cornhusker Marching Band; spirit-themed floats and golf carts; and the Homecoming Royalty Court.

Arrive early to claim a curbside seat along the route.

After the parade, continue the celebration at the Cornstock Festival on Memorial Stadium's east plaza.
 

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

Community groups, UNL colleges and departments, Recognized Student Organizations, Residence Halls, Sororities and Fraternities can apply to participate in the parade.

Floats, decorated vehicles, walking groups, and specialty entries can be submitted.
 

For student groups, the parade has four divisions for Competition Points:

  • Fraternities
  • Sororities
  • Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs)
  • Residence Halls
     
PARADE ROUTE

The parade starts at 14th & R Streets, adjacent to Nebraska Union. The route travels east on R Street, turning north on 16th Street, west on Vine Street, south on 14th Street, west into the East Stadium Loop, following the loop's path until the parade ends at the Coliseum.

 

Homecoming Parade Map
EVENT COODINATOR

ASUN Student Government

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

 

Homecoming 2024

Friday - Full of Festivities

Discover all the events of Homecoming Week, including Showtime at the Coliseum, Battle of the Bands, Lawn Displays, and Cornstock Festival.

Full Schedule
Save the Date: Cornchella | 2024 Homecoming | Sept 30–Oct 5

2024 Parade Rules

General Rules
  1. Mandatory attendance is required for all UNL Student Groups at the Homecoming meeting at 6 p.m. September 24, 2024. At the meeting, the fire marshal may inspect and approve drawings of floats and golf carts. Please send a representative from your organization with a drawing of your planned entry.
  2. Entry forms and plans are due online 5 p.m. September 25, 2024. 
  3. No entry fee, however a $100 commitment/cleanup deposit is required for student groups. Recognized Student Organizations should provide their SOFS account number on the application for the deposit. The $100 fee will be charged in the event of a no-call, no-show, not picking up a reserved golf cart and/or failing to participate. To cancel an entry and to avoid the fee, groups must notify the parade coordinators no later than 48 hours prior to the parade start time. Additionally, failure to dispose of used materials after the parade, any charges incurred for towing, or any other charges will result in your organization’s SOFS account being charged the $100 commitment/cleanup deposit to cover those losses.  Any incurred costs exceeding $100 pertaining to your entry/fire extinguisher is the sole responsibility of your organization and not the Parade Steering Committee, the UNL Homecoming parade, or the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  4. Groups will be responsible for setup, participation during the parade, and teardown/cleanup immediately after the parade. 
  5. Reference to violence, alcohol, drugs or use of derogatory language will NOT be permitted. If references occur the entry will be disqualified and removed from the parade at the discretion of parade officials. This also will constitute the breaking of the cleanup /commitment and said organization will therefore lose the $100 cleanup deposit.
  6. The Parade Steering Committee will inspect the floats/golf carts to ensure that floats/golf carts are safe and appropriate. Safety concerns including structural integrity and staying within the building parameters. No float can be taller than 14 feet from the ground up and no wider than 8 feet. 
  7. One entry per participating organization. 
  8. The Parade Steering Committee, Homecoming Committee, and the University of Nebraska Lincoln are not responsible for any injuries/damages suffered before/during/after the parade.
  9. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has entered into a contract with Pepsi. Reference to other soda or energy drink vendors is strictly prohibited. Any displays with any other soda or energy drink vendors will be disqualified and will be immediately removed from the Homecoming Parade.
  10. Parade Organizers reserve the right to limit the number of parade entrants.
Float Entries
  1. All float entries and their subsequent final plans must be submitted at the mandatory Homecoming meeting for approval. The fire marshal for the city of Lincoln will be at the mandatory meeting.
  2. Work and design must be done by participating team members only. Assistance from persons not currently members of the group will result in disqualification from the competition. The parade will take place around dusk/night, so special consideration should be taken to illuminate the entry.
    • No halogen lights or generators will be allowed because of the combustive nature of the floats.
    • Christmas/rope lighting is allowed as well as lights that do not radiate heat.
    • No open flames allowed. 
    • A fire extinguisher must be present on all float entries and will be supplied by the Parade Steering Committee before the start of the parade.
  3. The name of the organization(s) must be clearly displayed.
  4. No trailers or carts of any kind can be pulled by the golf cart. 
  5. A maximum of two individuals may ride in the automobile pulling the trailer. Individuals driving must provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance at check-in.
  6. Speed limit is 10 MPH in the parade and 5 MPH in staging and de-staging areas.
  7. Individuals on the float/golf cart must stay on the float and individuals walking on the street must stay on the street from the period the float exits the staging area until it enters the de-staging area.
  8. NO candy, leaflets, food, pencils, or other items may be THROWN from the entries at any time. HOWEVER, candy, leaflets or other items may be HANDED out, under the following circumstances: A minimum of two persons must be on each side of the entry, at the outermost edges of the street at ALL TIMES, to pass out items to spectators. Entries violating this policy will be removed from the parade and entry will not be refunded. This will be enforced by parade security and the University Police.
  9. No members participating in the parade can be under the influence of mind-altering substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.).
  10. Damage sustained to the float (created decorative entry), during the course of the parade is the responsibility of the organization signing this application not the Homecoming Parade Committee, the University of Nebraska or Board of Regents. Damage or injury incurred from the reckless or dangerous behavior by participants is the responsibility of the organization signing this application not the Homecoming Parade Committee or the University of Nebraska.

 

Golf Cart Entries
  1. All golf cart entries and their subsequent final plans must be submitted at the mandatory Homecoming meeting for approval. The fire marshal for the city of Lincoln may be at the mandatory meeting. 
  2. Work and design must be done by participating team members only. Assistance from persons not currently members of the group will result in disqualification from the competition. The parade will take place around dusk/night, so special consideration should be taken to illuminate the entry.
    • No halogen lights or generators will be allowed because of the combustive nature of the floats. 
    • Christmas/rope lighting is allowed as well as lights that do not radiate heat. 
    • No open flames allowed.
    • A fire extinguisher must be present on all golf cart entries and will be supplied by the Parade Steering Committee before the start of the parade.
  3. The name of the organization(s) must be clearly displayed. 
  4. A maximum of four individuals may ride in the golf cart. 
  5. Any driver must provide a valid driver’s license on the day of the event. 
  6. Speed limit is 10 MPH in the parade and 5 MPH in staging and de-staging areas. 
  7. Individuals on the golf cart must stay on the golf cart and individuals walking on the street must stay on the street from the period the golf cart exits the staging area until it enters the de-staging area. 
  8. NO candy, leaflets, food, pencils, or other items may be THROWN from the entries at any time. HOWEVER, candy, leaflets or other items may be HANDED out, under the following circumstances: A minimum of two persons must be on each side of the entry, at the outermost edges of the street at ALL TIMES, to pass out items to spectators. Entries violating this policy will be removed from the parade and entry will not be refunded. This will be enforced by parade security and the University Police.
  9. No members participating in the parade can be under the influence of mind-altering substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.). 
  10. Damage sustained to the golf cart (created decorative entry), during the course of the parade is the responsibility of the organization signing this application not the Homecoming Parade Committee, the University of Nebraska or Board of Regents. Damage or injury incurred from the reckless or dangerous behavior by participants is the responsibility of the organization signing this application not the the Homecoming Parade Committee or the University of Nebraska. 
  11. Decorations must be temporary and removable. 
  12. Decorations must NOT damage or deface the golf carts. 
  13. Items including, but not limited to, paint, glue, screws, nails, or wood may not be used to attach items to golf carts. 
  14. Decorations must NOT interfere with the proper mechanical functions of the golf cart. For example, decorations that would excessively weigh down the golf cart or impair tire or steering wheel movements are prohibited.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the parade?

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Where do I go?

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We went all out, and we have a lot of stuff. Where can we put it?

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Do we have to bring anything besides what goes on our golf cart or float?

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What if we’re going to be late?

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Who can I email/look for with any questions?

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