From Dakota Days to Hobo Day, here's 5 college homecomings in, near Sioux Falls this month

Morgan Matzen, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·3 min read

Fall signifies a lot of things: cooler weather, crisp air, falling leaves, harvest and more.

For many South Dakotans, though, it means it’s time for college homecoming festivities, parades, football games and fun for everyone.

Whether you’re a fan of the Coyotes, Jackrabbits, Vikings, Cougars or Trojans, here’s a comprehensive list of homecomings, parades and football games you can participate in this year in and around Sioux Falls. Most are within an hour’s drive of the city.

Dakota State University’s Trojan Days

When: Sept. 11-16

What to do on Sept. 16:

  • 8 a.m. Trojan Days Color Run and Walk at the Madison Community Center

  • 10 a.m. Trojan Days Parade on Egan Avenue

  • 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Trojan Zone

  • Noon tailgate before the football game west of the Dan Beacom Track Complex

  • 4 p.m. Trojan Football vs. Valley City State at the Dan Beacom Track Complex

For a full event schedule, visit dsu.edu.

Augustana University’s Viking Days

When: Sept. 18-24

What to do on Sept. 23:

  • 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Viking Days Exhibit in the Center for Western Studies exploring the 100-year history of Augustana’s annual homecoming event

  • 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Viking Days Parade Pancake Feed in the floats tent on Grange Avenue

  • 9 to 10:30 a.m. School of Music Open House in the Fryxell Humanities Center

  • 10:30 a.m. Viking Days Parade on University Place (formerly 28th Street) to 33rd Street on Grange Avenue

  • 11 a.m. Viking Days Tailgate at Augieville outside the Kirkeby-Over Stadium

  • 1 p.m. Vikings vs. MSU Moorhead at Kirkeby-Over Stadium

  • 5 p.m. Vikings Volleyball vs. MSU Mankato in the Elmen Center

For a full event schedule, visit augie.edu.

University of Sioux Falls’ Cougar Days

When: Sept. 29-Oct.1

What to do on Sept. 30:

  • 8:30 to 10 a.m. Cougar Days 5K Run/Walk at Cherry Rock Park

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tailgate and Family Carnival at the USF Sports Complex

  • 1 p.m. Key to the City Football Game vs. Augustana University at the USF Sports Complex

For a full event schedule, visit usiouxfalls.edu.

University of South Dakota’s Dakota Days

When: Oct. 1-7

What to do on Oct. 7:

  • 9 a.m. 109th Dakota Days Parade on Cherry Street, with a hospitality tent available at the Inman House

  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coyote Alley Tailgate at the DakotaDome

  • 2 p.m. South Dakota v. Murray State at the DakotaDome

For a full event schedule, visit usd.edu.

South Dakota State University’s Hobo Days

When: Oct. 9-14

What to do on Oct. 14:

  • 9:30 a.m. Hobo Day Parade along Medary Avenue in downtown Brookings

  • 2 p.m. South Dakota State v. University of Northern Iowa at the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium

  • Time to be determined for Hobo Night Live in the Volstorff Ballroom

The Pride of the Dakotas marches in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Pride of the Dakotas marches in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Other unique events and traditions before and during Hobo Days include the One Month Club Kick-Off scheduled Sept. 14, Hobo Gear Prep Night on Oct. 5, Bum-A-Meal, Bum Over, Rally at the Rails, BumFire and more.

For a full event schedule, visit sdstate.edu.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How to celebrate Trojan, Viking, Cougar, USD Dakota and SDSU Hobo Days