Sept. 30-Oct. 5: Minnesota State Mankato's 2024 Homecoming Week Highlighted by Parade, Mavericks on the Mall
Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State University, Mankato’s annual Homecoming Week begins Monday, Sept. 30 and continues through Saturday Oct. 5 with a weeklong schedule of events that are free and open to the public.
The media is welcome to cover the Homecoming events throughout the week.
The week begins Monday with a kickoff event from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. on the Centennial Student Union mall. The kickoff event, free and open to the public, will include live music and an opportunity to meet the Homecoming royalty.
Other free spectator events during the week include a cookie-decorating contest from 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the Centennial Student Union Hearth Lounge and a Homecoming lip sync and coronation from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Taylor Center’s Bresnan Arena.
Tickets are required for the Thursday, Oct. 3 Homecoming concert, featuring American rapper Rich The Kid, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in Myers Field House. Tickets are available for public purchase while supplies last.
Minnesota State Mankato’s Department of Theatre and Dance will perform “Cabaret,” from Thursday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 5 and again from Oct. 10-13 in the Ted Paul Theatre at the Earley Center for Performing Arts. Tickets and showtimes are available at MSUTheatre.com.
On Friday, Oct. 4, the annual Homecoming bonfire (free to the public) will feature a DJ and begin at 9 p.m., with free fireworks starting at 9:20 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5 events begin with the Homecoming parade from 10:30-11 a.m. Maywood Avenue, Warren Street and Stadium Road are all part of an expanded parade route this year. The parade, which has been scheduled for more than 88 years, will feature floats from the community and University. “Mavericks Endgame” is the 2024 parade theme.
The parade will be followed by Mavericks on the Mall and Pancakes with the President from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the campus mall (next to the fountain). The pancakes are free, and Mavericks on the Mall is a free community family-friendly event that includes games, live music, caricature artists, bounce houses, a petting zoo and more. Food will also be available for purchase in the Centennial Student Union.
Saturday, Oct. 5 athletic events include the Maverick football game against Sioux Falls at 2 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium. Ticket information for the Homecoming football game and all Maverick athletic events is available online at msumavericks.com.
More information on Homecoming is available online or by calling the Minnesota State Mankato’s Alumni Association at 507-389-1515 or Student Activities at 507-389-6076.
Minnesota State Mankato’s Homecoming has been in existence since 1928. Homecoming week offers students and alumni a way to display their pride and school spirit. Homecoming also allows the greater Mankato community a chance to learn about the university and take part in the celebrations.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,635 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities.
