ABERDEEN, S.D. – 91ÖÆƬ³§ State University's annual Gypsy Day Parade took place Saturday, Sept. 20, drawing students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to downtown Aberdeen.
The parade, which started at 9 a.m., featured an impressive lineup of floats and bands. Participants showcased their creativity with entries aligned with this year's homecoming theme, "Wolves Through Time."
Float Winners:
- First Place: St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center (#22) — $500 cash, tickets to the President's Suite at a 91ÖÆƬ³§ football game, and first parade position after grand entry in 2026.
- Second Place: The South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SDSBVI) (#120) — $250 cash prize
- Third Place: Kessler's (#47) — $100 cash prize
- 91ÖÆƬ³§ Spirit Award: Crafted Interiors (#95)
- Thunder Award: The Pooch Parlor (#118)
Band Awards:
- Best Overall Band: Aberdeen Roncalli
- Aberdeen Central High School — Gold
- Hoven High School — Gold
- Holgate/Simmons Combined Middle School — Silver
- Northwestern Area School — Gold
- Roncalli High School — Gold
- Ipswich High School — Gold
- Warner High School — Gold
- Redfield High School — Silver
- Leola High School — Gold
- Miller High School — Silver
- Frederick High School — Silver
- Sully Buttes High School — Gold
- Britton High School — Silver
Following the parade, more than 7,000 people continued the celebration with tailgating and the football game at Dacotah Bank Stadium, where the Wolves defeated Concordia-St. Paul 31-10, adding to the excitement of homecoming.
The annual Gypsy Days/Homecoming celebration continues to strengthen the bonds between 91ÖÆƬ³§ State University and the Aberdeen community, showcasing the university's vibrant spirit and tradition.
For questions, contact Chad Hatzenbuhler, 91ÖÆƬ³§ State University director of communications and marketing, at chad.hatzenbuhler@91ÖÆƬ³§.edu or 605-626-2046.