Hobo Day Parade
There is no experience quite like the Hobo Day Parade! Starting at 9:30 a.m. each year on Medary Avenue and ending in Downtown Brookings, the homecoming parade showcases South Dakota State University, alumni, and friends in hoboic fashion.
Become a Parade Volunteer
"The Biggest One-Day Event in the Dakotas" is only possible through the help of dozens of volunteers who serve in a variety of roles on parade morning - assisting with parade staging, manning security barricades, and transporting dignitaries through the parade, to name a few. All parade volunteers receive a special volunteer t-shirt and breakfast on the morning of Hobo Day. Being a parade volunteer is also a great way to boost your application to become a future member of the Hobo Day Committee. We need you! Please consider volunteering to make Hobo Day a success!
Registration for the 2024 Hobo Day Parade will open in September. Click on each parade category below for more information regarding registration information, entry rules, and parade coordinator contact information. If you have any questions on registration, parade policies and procedures, and other parade information, contact the Parade Coordinator via email or give the Hobo Day Committee a call at 605-688-5524.
School Marching Bands
High School and Middle School bands are able to march in the Hobo Day Parade under the Bands category. High School Bands will be judged by a panel of judges, with the location communicated to each band director in advance. (Middle School bands will not be judged.) Stopping anywhere on the route will result in immediate disqualification. Please consult the Hobo Day Parade Policies and Procedures before registering. Registration for the 2024 Hobo Day Parade will close September 27.
Questions? Please contact the bands coordinator via email.
Community Entries
Your nonprofit organization or community group may be eligible to enter the Hobo Day Parade under the Community Entries category. Please consult the Hobo Day Parade Policies and Procedures before registering. Registration for the 2024 Hobo Day Parade will close September 27.
Questions? Please contact the community entries coordinator via email.
Dignitaries
Invited Dignitaries may contact the Hobo Day Dignitaries coordinator to confirm their attendance at the Hobo Day Parade via email or phone (605-688-5524). Please consult the Hobo Day Parade Policies and Procedures before confirming your attendance.
Questions? Please contact the dignitaries coordinator via email.
Student Entries
The Hobo Day Parade is put on by students for students, and we'd love to have your registered student organization represented by a float or hobomobile! Funding assistance is available for eligible registered student groups through the "Fantastic Floats" program. The Fantastic Floats application will close September 13 and student entry registration for the 2023 Hobo Day parade will close September 27. Forms to sign up can be found on Jacks Club Hub.
The Hobo Day Committee reserves the right to bar from the parade any entry which does not abide by the Student Entries and Hobomobiles Policies and Procedures.
Questions? Please contact the student entries coordinator via email.
Local Businesses
While the policies of the Hobo Day Parade does not permit commercial businesses to have entries in the parade, businesses are welcome to sponsor a student entry. Float sponsors receive a 2 foot x 4 foot sign on either side of the entry. Please consult the Hobo Day Parade Policies and Procedures for more information.
Questions? Contact the parade coordinator via email or call the Hobo Day Office at 605-688-5524.
The Hobo Day Committee is excited to hit the road every summer for the Summer Parade Tour! Many weekends during the summer the Committee will travel across the plains to promote the Biggest One-Day Event in the Dakotas - with the iconic 1912 Model T Ford "Bummobile", of course. (The Bummobile's attitude permitting...)
Follow us on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on our Summer Parade Tour!
