will be illuminated by Golden Flash pride on Oct. 11 as the annual Homecoming celebration returns to the heart of Kent, Ohio. The Kent Campus will transform into a sea of blue and gold when alumni, students, families, employees and community members come together for this cherished tradition that began in 1918. All are invited to connect, celebrate and experience ’s vibrant community spirit.
This year’s Homecoming theme is Flash’s Birthday Bash, and in honor of this, those who formerly served as Flash mascots have been named this year’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals.
Alumni Awards
The weekend kicks off with the Alumni Awards on Friday, Oct. 10 at the Hotel and Conference Center, where 10 alumni and students will be presented with the university’s highest alumni honors. This year’s award recipients can be found online.
Block Party and Homecoming Parade, Featuring New Parade Route
Start your day outside, near the grandstand on Summit Street, for the Block Party at 9 a.m. The Block Party will feature a food truck, music, a caricature artist, inflatable games and more. Flash, the mascot, will be there from 9-10 a.m. and members of the Columbus Crew will also be in attendance.
Then, the Homecoming Parade debuts its new route down Summit Street at 10:30 a.m. Watch from the grandstand on the north side of Summit Street as campus comes to life with floats, musical performances and Golden Flash pride. The parade will feature and local high school marching bands, the Homecoming Court, university colleges and departments, cheerleaders and athletes, student organizations, local officials and this year’s Grand Marshals, former Flash mascots. For those who can’t make it in person, a livestream of the parade will be available.
View the new parade route here.
Flash Nation Tailgate, Kiss at the K
Bring your blue and gold spirit to the ultimate pregame party, packed with free food, fun for all ages and non-stop pride. The Flash Nation Tailgate will begin at noon in the West lot outside of Dix Stadium, where Flash’s birthday will be celebrated. Plus, couples can celebrate their love during the iconic “Kiss at the K” ceremony at 1 p.m. Additionally, there will be designated tents for alumni from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Honors College at the tailgate.
Homecoming Football Game
Then, at 2:30 p.m., the Homecoming football game will feature the Golden Flashes taking on the University of Massachusetts Minutemen. The Homecoming Court will be recognized at the game, and ’s 2025 Homecoming Royalty will be announced and crowned at halftime. Tickets are available online and at the gate.
Alumni Chapter Tailgates and Events
Multiple tailgates will take place throughout the day, held by various alumni chapters, including the Black Alumni Chapter Tailgate, the Greater Cleveland and Lake County Alumni Chapters Tailgate and the LGBTQ+ Alumni Chapter Homecoming Tailgayte. All are welcome to participate. A list of events can be found online.
Visiting Campus
Visitors are encouraged to wear powder blue spirit attire for this year’s Homecoming game. The bookstore inside the Kent Student Center is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 11 to purchase apparel.
Free food is available while supplies last at the Flash Nation Tailgate. However, food is available for purchase at the Hub inside the Kent Student Center from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Oct. 11.
For security purposes, residence halls are not open to the public.
About Homecoming 2025
For more information about ’s Homecoming 2025 and a full schedule of events, visit www.kent.edu/homecoming.
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Photo Caption:
Flash the mascot waves to the crowd during the 2024 Homecoming Parade. Those who formerly served as Flash mascots have been named this year’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals.
Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797