The 2023 Homecoming parade will be held on Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. before the weekend’s anticipated football game and will close out the week of Homecoming celebrations.
The Homecoming parade, a long-held tradition at the University, will be preceded by events such as the Homecoming kickoff event on Oct. 15 and the Homecoming International Day Celebration on Oct. 17.
The University has held a variety of Homecoming events dating back to its first celebration in 1910. Since then, fans young and old have come from across the nation to cheer on the Fighting Illini.
Caroline Ahrends, co-chair of the parade, said that the parade will consist of both registered student organizations and various groups in the Champaign-Urbana area.
“We have a variety of different clubs that are participating in the parade,” Ahrends said. “Some of the main groups that participate are RSOs and Greek organizations, as well as community submissions such as the fair queen, fire department and marching band.”
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Besides various organizations, 20 students chosen as members of the 2023 Homecoming Court will serve as leaders of the festivities.
“We have our Homecoming Court judging the parade submissions this year, so there will be an award for best for RSO and best for community,” Ahrends said.
The 2023 Homecoming Court includes Aamina Adebayo, Lauren Cerbin, Kathy Chen, Justin Chiu, M.B. Cornejo, Nicholas Davis, Cornell Horne Jr., Mikaela Jopes, Danya Le, Nina Mitchell, Shelby Oertel, Emma Prybylski, Lauren Purchase, Ramiro Ramirez, Arvin Sam, Malika Sampson, Paris Souza, Winter Stubblefield, Stephanie Wayda and Jarvis Williams.
Stephanie Wayda, senior in Media and a member of the court, said that the court will also be engaging with spectators in between each of the parade’s participants.
“At the parade, all of the Homecoming Court members will be sitting on golf carts, passing out candy and just riding through the parade,” Wayda said. “So it’ll be really fun!”
Ahrends also warned spectators that the parade will close certain portions of First Street, Gregory Drive and Fourth Street.
“The parade starts at the corner of Kirby and Fourth, and then it goes around the stadium and ends at Kirby and First,” Ahrends said.
Shortly after the roughly 30-minute parade, Grange Grove will host a pep rally for fans.
For more information on the Homecoming parade and the celebratory week’s events, visit the University’s website.
