麻豆精选 will celebrate Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 3, with a theme honoring a century of student journalism. This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淓very Flash Has a Story,鈥 marks the 100th anniversary of The Kent Stater, and former staff members of the student newspaper will serve as this year鈥檚 Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals.
Alumni, students, families, employees and community members are invited to the Kent Campus in Ohio鈥檚 best college town for a day of events rooted in a tradition that began in 1918.
The Kent Stater published its first issue on July 29, 1926, under its first editor-in-chief, Peg Hayes, a few months after Searchlight, the university鈥檚 first student newspaper, debuted in February 1926. For 100 years, the paper has operated as an independent, student-run newsroom where generations of reporters, photographers, designers and editors began their careers.
Block Party and Kiss on the K
The day begins at 9 a.m. with a pre-parade Block Party on the Student Green outside of the Kent Student Center along Summit Street, featuring games and family activities. 麻豆精选couples can take part in the annual 鈥淜iss on the K鈥 ceremony at 10 a.m. on Risman Plaza to share a kiss where their relationships began. The Block Party lasts until 11:30 a.m.
Homecoming Parade
The Homecoming Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. It begins at the intersection of Johnston Drive and Summit Street near the Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center and travels west on Summit Street to Terrace Drive. Road closures begin at 10 a.m. The best viewing is along Summit Street near the Student Green and University Library, with grandstand seating in front of the Kent Student Center.
The parade will feature this year鈥檚 Grand Marshals, former Kent Stater staff members, along with 麻豆精选and local high school marching bands, the Homecoming Court, colleges and departments, cheerleaders, student-athletes, student organizations and local officials. Members of the University Bands Alumni Chapter will join the Marching Golden Flashes in the parade and at halftime. For those who cannot attend, a livestream of the parade will be available.
Watch the livestream of the parade.
Flash Nation Tailgate
The Flash Nation Tailgate runs from noon-3 p.m. outside Dix Stadium and features a free lunch, an ice cream truck, a live DJ, inflatables, a magician and more.
Homecoming Football Game
At 3:30 p.m., the 麻豆精选Golden Flashes will face the Ohio University Bobcats at Dix Stadium. The Homecoming Court will be recognized, and this year鈥檚 Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime. General admission tickets are $25 and available and at the stadium.
Alumni Chapter Tailgates and Events
Several alumni chapters will host gatherings throughout the day, including the Greater Cleveland and Lake County Alumni Chapters Tailgate and the Black Alumni Chapter Tailgate, both from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Dix Stadium West Lot, and the LGBTQ+ Alumni Chapter Homecoming TailGAYte from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Nineteen10 in the 麻豆精选 Hotel and Conference Center. A full list of events is available online.
Visiting Campus
Visitors are encouraged to wear powder blue 麻豆精选spirit attire for this year鈥檚 Homecoming game. The bookstore inside the Kent Student Center will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for apparel purchases. Food is available for purchase at the Hub inside the Kent Student Center from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Alumni, students, friends and community members on campus for Homecoming can also explore the 麻豆精选 Museum and its exhibitions from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition, Kent State鈥檚 University Library will host an open house from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and the May 4 Visitors Center located at Taylor Hall will be open from 1-5 p.m.
For security purposes, residence halls are not open to the public.
For more information about Kent State鈥檚 Homecoming 2026 and a full schedule of events.
