The Watertown Current made the 45-mile treck to Brookings Oct. 12 for South Dakota State University’s 2024 Hobo Day—otherwise called homecoming—to catch the parade and talk to Watertown residents involved with the affair.
The parade, which lasted for over an hour, featured numerous university officals, floats and displays created by student groups, local fire and police departments, political campaigns, businesses, and bands from around the area.
Thousands took to the parade route, gridlocking traffic around the city of Brookings, giving the parade the ultimate “small town feel.”
The Current caught up with Watertown Resident Kelly Grismer and her family sitting across from the famed Nick’s Hamburgers on Main Avenue.
“This is our second year attending Hobo Days,” Grismer said.”We’re here for our daughter, Avah, who is on the colorguard for the Watertown High School band.”
While Grismer said that the rainy weather put a damper on celebrations last year, she was happy that the 60 degree weather this year meant that more people could come out and support the community and enjoy the parade.
“We’re happy to come out and support the city of Brookings, South Dakota State University, and just show support for everyone involved with putting on the parade.”
- SDSU’s “Bummobile”
- Avah Grismer, 17, of Watertown, marched in the 2024 Hobo Day parade as part of the colorguard for the Watertown High School Band.
- Avah Grismer, 17, of Watertown, marched in the 2024 Hobo Day parade as part of the colorguard for the Watertown High School Band.
- The Pride of the Dakotas lead the parade.
- Logan Horst, 3, of Brookings, waves to the firetrucks.
- Thousands lined the parade route starting before 8 a.m. to get a prime seat before the prade passed.
- The Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter fraternity had a party float in the parade.
- Donald and Melania Trump, complete with a Secret Service detail, also made an appearance at the parade.
- SDSU’s so called “Bum Band” charges forward at the end of the parade to close out the event.