KEARNEY – It’s a tradition as rich as the Nebraska soil.
Blue and gold will be bountiful next week as the University of Nebraska at Kearney celebrates homecoming with an autumn-inspired theme.
“Louie’s Harvest Homecoming” kicks off Monday and continues through Saturday (Oct. 12), bringing students, employees, alumni and the community together to display their Loper pride during the fall festivities.
The celebration begins Monday with a 5:15 p.m. pep rally in Loperville outside Cope Stadium. Finalists for UNK homecoming royalty will be announced at that time, followed by window decorating at downtown businesses.
One of the most popular campus events, the state’s largest lip-sync contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Health and Sports Center, where student groups will perform choreographed dances connected to the harvest theme. The public is invited to watch this entertaining competition, which is immediately followed by the crowning of the homecoming king and queen.
For those who can’t attend in person, a livestream will be available at unk.edu/watch.
A new addition this year, the UNK Drive-Thru Tailgate Party will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at NebraskaLand Bank, 4615 Second Ave. Come experience the Power of the Herd with Louie the Loper and the UNK dance and cheer teams. The drive-thru event includes free lunch and Loper swag for each vehicle.
Saturday’s fun begins bright and early with the annual homecoming parade set for 10 a.m. in downtown Kearney. Floats designed by UNK student organizations, local businesses and campus and community groups will be featured, along with Loper student-athletes, the cheer and dance teams, homecoming royalty, Pride of the Plains and other marching bands.
The parade route starts at the intersection of 24th Street and Central Avenue and progresses south on Central Avenue, west on Railroad Street, north on Third Avenue, west on 21st Street, south on Eighth Avenue and west on 20th Street before ending at Ninth Avenue near Pioneer Park.
There are multiple opportunities to catch the Loper athletic teams in action.
UNK softball hosts Central Community College-Columbus at 5 p.m. Thursday and Northeastern Junior College at 5 p.m. Friday, with the first game at a site to be determined and the second at Patriot Park.
The third-ranked Loper volleyball team faces Emporia State at 6 p.m. Friday and Washburn at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Health and Sports Center.
UNK football is set for a 2 p.m. Saturday showdown with Pittsburg State at Cope Stadium. The UNK Alumni Association is hosting its annual tailgate outside the stadium beginning at noon. Homecoming royalty and UNK Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are recognized during the game, and the UNK Sapphires and Pride of the Plains Marching Band perform.
