Kent State University will celebrate Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 3, with a theme honoring a century of student journalism. This year’s theme, “Every Flash Has a Story,” marks the 100th anniversary of The Kent Stater, and former staff members of the student newspaper will serve as this year’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals.
Alumni, students, families, employees and community members are invited to the Kent Campus in Ohio’s 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’s 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. Kent State couples can take part in the annual “Kiss on the K” 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’s Grand Marshals, former Kent Stater staff members, along with Kent State 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 Kent State Golden Flashes will face the Ohio University Bobcats at Dix Stadium. The Homecoming Court will be recognized, and this year’s Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime. General admission tickets are $25 and available online 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 Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center. A full list of events is available online.
Visiting Campus
Visitors are encouraged to wear powder blue Kent State spirit attire for this year’s 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 Kent State University Museum and its exhibitions from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition, Kent State’s 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’s Homecoming 2026 and a full schedule of events.
