Homecoming festivities include Battle of the Bands, festival, parade

This year's University of Nebraska–Lincoln homecoming week runs Sept. 28 to Oct. 5 and will carry the theme “Cornchella.”

The week’s activities open with a Husker football watch party at 11 a.m. Sept. 28 at Memorial Stadium. Students, faculty and staff can sit on the field or in the stands and watch on the stadium’s big screen as the Huskers take on the Purdue Boilermakers. Attendees can enter Gate 24 beginning at 10 a.m. The event will include concessions available for purchase, interactive games and a photo booth.

Showtime at the Coliseum is 8 to 10 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Coliseum, 1350 Vine St. Recognized student organizations will compete for bragging rights with skits and dances. The event is for students.

A yard games competition — featuring cornhole, washers and ladder ball — will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 on the Meier Commons. Student teams of two can sign up to compete in the games. In the event of inclement weather, the competition will move to the Nebraska Union’s Ballroom. Free pizza and Pepsi products will be provided.

Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

New this year is a Battle of the Bands at 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St. The competition, which is free for Husker students with an event pass and faculty and staff with an NCard, will feature six bands that include Husker students. There will be a $5 cover charge for non-university attendees. The two bands with the most votes will compete in the finale at Cornstock on Oct. 4.

A Dairy Store ice cream social will take place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3 on the Dinsdale Family Learning Commons plaza on East Campus. Campus community members can receive a free scoop of ice cream, including the special homecoming flavor Caramel Cornchella, and enjoy live music by local artist Jonathan Leach.

The homecoming exhibition “Husker History: Travel Through Time with Archives and Special Collections” will be on view from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 3 in the lower level of Love Library South, Room 29, 1248 R St. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature recently acquired or donated materials. Activities will include a selfie station with Husker-themed props and a time-traveling game with archival photos. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.

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.

The Cornstock Festival, which is free and open to the public, is 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 4 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 and mocktails; hair braiding and tinsel; face painters; balloon artists; a temporary tattoo station; and tractor hayrack rides.

­The annual homecoming parade starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 4. 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. The Battle of the Bands finale will follow the parade on the East Stadium Plaza.

A blood drive will be held during the week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Nebraska Union’s Centennial Room.

In addition, a canned food drive to benefit the Husker Pantry is 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Food and other essential items can be taken to the University Health Center’s north entrance, near the pantry. Donations can also be made via the pantry’s Amazon wishlist here.

Husker faculty and staff are invited to participate in a HealthierU movement challenge, with the goal of achieving at least 300 movement minutes during homecoming week. All forms of movement — including strength training, cardiovascular exercises and mind-body practices — are acceptable. Four employees who achieve at least 300 movement minutes will receive a homecoming-themed prize package. For more information, click here.

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 Oct. 5.

Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing