Wildcat Community invited to participate in the 2026 Homecoming Parade
Each year, Kansas State University alumni, friends and the Manhattan community gather for the highlight of the K-State Homecoming Week: the Parade.
The 2026 Homecoming Parade will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. The K-State Alumni Association encourages all campus groups, alumni and community members to join the fun.
To participate in the parade, groups must register by 12 a.m. Oct. 14. There is no fee for K-State affiliated groups, nonprofits and city/county departments. Entry fee is $50 for commercial businesses or political campaigns and is due with the application. A late fee of $20 will be required for submissions received after the deadline. For registration and more information, visit k-state.com/Homecoming.
The parade route will begin at Manhattan Town Center and will proceed through Aggieville before ending in City Park for the Homecoming pep rally.
Frank Tracz, professor emeritus of music, was selected by the Student Homecoming Committee as grand marshal of the parade. He served as director of bands at K-State for more than 30 years and led the Marching Band to the 2015 Sudler Trophy.
Prior to the parade, the Aggieville Business Association will host trick-or-treating in Aggieville at 3 p.m. The pep rally will take place at the Larry Norvell Band Shell in City Park following the parade at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Homecoming has been a tradition at K-State for more than 100 years. This year’s theme is “Chapters of K-State.” The theme connects the ways K-State is a part of the different chapters of our lives.
The week-long celebration, coordinated by the Homecoming Committee, will take place from Oct. 11-17 and is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association. To stay up-to-date on all 2026 Homecoming activities, visit k-state.com/homecoming.