Your Student Life: Homecoming 2026
September 29, 2026
Homecoming 2026 is October 5-10, packed with events and traditions that bring past and current Buckeyes together to celebrate all things Ohio State.
Homecoming dates back to 1912 when Ohio State professor and alum George Rightmire came up with the idea of “Ohio State Day” as an event prior to a football game. That tradition has grown and flourished into an entire week of activities.
A number of colleges have special events scheduled, as do many student organizations and clubs.
A centerpiece of the week is the Homecoming Parade. It’s set for Friday, October 9, beginning at 6 p.m. The Parade is one of Ohio State's biggest and longest-running traditions. Student organization banners, floats, colleges, departments, community organizations and local celebrities are all a part of this great tradition.
This year’s Homecoming Parade has a new route. Due to construction on College Road, this year’s parade will begin at the corner of Cannon Drive and John Herrick Dr. It will proceed southbound on Cannon Drive, turning just south of the new University Hospital, and proceeding on Neil Ave. to 12th Avenue. The parade will end at the Ohio Union. This is an exciting opportunity to highlight and engage a new area of campus as we celebrate Homecoming 2026.
There are viewing locations all along the route, as well as grandstands set up at various points where each unit will be recognized.
The Parade will include this year’s Homecoming Court, selected for their leadership, spirit, integrity and achievements through their contributions and involvement at Ohio State. Through their Buckeye Funder campaigns, Court members raise money to support various funds and causes across The Ohio State University, turning their Homecoming experience into an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Every year, a notable Buckeye is selected as parade Grand Marshall. That’s true this year as well, but with a twist: The 2026 Grand Marshall is a cow!
Not just any cow, but a tribute to Maudine, who was elected Homecoming Queen in 1926. She will be represented in the parade by a direct descendant of the famous Holstein.
The story of Maudine is amazing. Here is an excerpt from an article written by the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES)
“Maudine’s royal rise began during the university’s 1926 homecoming election. Students cast an astonishing 12,000 ballots despite enrollment totaling fewer than 10,000 students at the time. After voting irregularities surfaced and the original winner stepped aside, the runner-up inherited the crown: Maudine Ormsby, a prize Holstein, entered into the race by the College of Agriculture.
She rode through the homecoming parade in regal fashion but skipped the dance in her honor because handlers reportedly worried too much excitement might interfere with her milk production.
Even by dairy standards, Maudine was no ordinary cow.
The award-winning Holstein reportedly produced 743.5 pounds of milk and 28.7 pounds of butterfat in a single week, helping establish her reputation as a campus celebrity and a dairy powerhouse.”
CFAES has a yearlong celebration of “Maudine 100” underway.
You can also visit the Maudine Cow Room in the lower level of the Ohio Union where wall murals tell the Maudine story. The carpet even features a Holstein pattern.
See you at Homecoming!
Office of Student Life