Here's some of the many participants in the homecoming parade for Jackson State University on Saturday. Video by Terricha Bradley-Phillips/The Clarion-Ledger
Jackson State University's much-anticipated homecoming parade will take place on campus for 2024 and promises an exciting kick off to Saturday's football game.
The parade starts at 8 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, on Dr. Robert Smith Sr. Parkway with Pro Football Hall of Famer and JSU alum Robert "Dr. Doom" Brazile serving as the parade's grand marshal.
In recent years, the JSU homecoming parade has taken place in downtown Jackson. Chair of the Homecoming Parade Committee Arron Richardson said the decision to bring the parade back to campus was based on a desire to further highlight the JSU community.
The relocation will also allow a better flow with other homecoming events taking place on campus. Also returning this year is the parade tradition of throwing out candy. Richardson said in recent years, tossing candy to the crowds of spectators was not permitted, but the parade's return to campus made that tradition possible again.
Richardson said the JSU community has been supportive of the parade's return to campus.
"When they found out we were having the parade back on campus, the surrounding community really embraced us," Richardson said.
This year's JSU homecoming theme is "Thee House Party," paying homage to the popular '90s hip-hop duo Kid n' Play. The duo sparked the "House Party" movie franchise.
While JSU changes the homecoming theme every year, nostalgia is always at the heart, especially for alumni returning to their alma mater to swap stories and relive their college years. Richardson said he expects no less than 5,000 alumni to return for the festivities.
Richardson, who is serving as chair for the first time this year, extended his gratitude to his fellow committee members who work tirelessly to plan homecoming each year. He said JSU always tries to make homecoming bigger and better each year, and the team is already thinking about next year's events.