UNI prepares for grooviest Homecoming yet

Sep 28, 2022

Homecoming parade

The University of Northern Iowa’s Homecoming celebration is just around the corner. With the theme of That ‘70s Hoco, this Homecoming is bound to be our grooviest one yet!

The Homecoming Parade returns to downtown Cedar Falls at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, with a route that will go from Ninth and Main streets to Second and Main streets. UNI students, UNI academic and non-academic departments and divisions and Cedar Valley community members can submit an entry form to be in the parade through Sept. 28.

Before the parade begins, entries will be judged by Vice President for Student Life Heather Harbach and Chair of the Board of Trustees Linda Cook. The winners will receive ribbons.

UNI alums Jim and Bonnie Raasch will be showcasing their Panther pride as Grand Marshals of the Homecoming Parade. KWWL-TV Sports Director Rick Coleman and UNI Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Leslie Prideaux will be emceeing the fanfare. Golf carts, floats and the Panther Marching Band will all be featured in the parade. Come armed with a tote bag for the candy and promotional items being passed out by parade participants. If you aren’t in town to catch the action in person, check out UNI’s YouTube channel to watch the parade livestream.

The week of festivities is highlighted by the UNI football game against Illinois State University in the UNI-Dome slated for a 4 p.m. kickoff, but there will be plenty of excitement all week long, including:

The HoCo Office/Dorm Decorating Social Media Contest, which is happening all week on Instagram and Twitter using hashtags, #1UNI or #That70sHoco. Followers of the University of Northern Iowa Instagram and Twitter accounts will begin voting on Oct. 7 and the winner being announced on Oct. 8 right before kickoff.
The Traditions Challenge Amazing Race on Oct. 4 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the Maucker Union rooftop
The HyVee Tailgate on Oct. 8 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. west of the UNI-Dome
UNI Volleyball facing off against Bradley at 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 in the McLeod Center

Homecoming week also marks the launch of the Our Tomorrow Campaign, UNI’s boldest, most ambitious fundraising campaign to date that will help create a brighter tomorrow for not only today’s Panthers but also those in the generations to come. Enjoy the Our Tomorrow Celebration and Concert Friday night on the Campanile Plaza. Food trucks and a beer and wine garden will be available from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with games, exclusive giveaways and a display of seven new bells to be cast Homecoming weekend for the UNI’s Campanile. The program and concert begins at 7 p.m. featuring Tony-nominated Michael Cavanaugh, who was made famous for his piano and lead vocals in the starring role of the Broadway Musical “Movin’ Out.”