FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARBONDALE -

Carbondale is ready to welcome Salukis past and present home for a weekend packed with music, tradition, community and Saluki pride! With downtown celebrations, the annual Homecoming Parade & Saluki Football, there will be plenty happening throughout Homecoming weekend. 

Kicking Off Homecoming Weekend: Salukis Build Here 

Kick off your Homecoming weekend early on Thursday, Oct. 15, with Salukis Build Here, an evening celebrating SIU alumni-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and partnerships throughout Southern Illinois. 

Join fellow Salukis and community members from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at Hangar 9 for an evening of connection, celebration and entrepreneurial pride. Hosted by Southern Illinois Now, the event is presented in collaboration with the SIU Alumni Association, SIU Foundation, City of Carbondale and Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, bringing together alumni, local leaders and community partners to celebrate the Saluki entrepreneurial spirit. 

Friday, October 16: SIU Homecoming Music Street Festival 

The celebration takes over downtown Carbondale Friday, October 16 as the 3rd Annual SIU Homecoming Music Street Festival transforms The Strip into one of Southern Illinois' biggest block parties! 

This free, all-ages festival will feature two stages of live music, beer tents, food trucks, vendors, local businesses and interactive experiences (come learn how to line dance!) throughout downtown. Join thousands of Salukis as we gather for one of the biggest traditions of Homecoming weekend! 

Full Music Street Festival Lineup: 

This year's festival lineup features Spin Doctors, North Mississippi Allstars, Cowboy Kyle of Urban Cowboy Line Dancing,  Lucas Wayne & the Cottonmouths with City of Soul, and Johnny Rock-itt & the Double Wide Symphony. 

And this year's celebration just got even bigger. Following the festival, KYLE will take the stage at 10:00 PM for the SIU Student Afterparty, keeping the Homecoming celebration going late into Friday night. 

Full Music Festival Schedule: 

Egyptian Stage (First Mid Bank parking Lot) 

3:00-345 PM – Lucas Wayne & The Cottonmouths + City of Soul 

4:00-4:55 PM- Johnny Rock-itt & The Double Wide Symphony  

5:00-5:50 PM- Line Dancing with Cowboy Kyle of Urban Cowboy Line Dancing  

Saluki Stage (Main Stage on Illinois Ave.) 

6:00-7:30 PM- North Mississippi Allstars 

8:00-9:30 PM- Spin Doctors 

10:00-11:00 PM- KYLE – SIU Student After Party 

The SIU Homecoming Music Street Festival is presented by the City of Carbondale,  Carbondale IL Tourism, SIU Alumni Association, River Radio, Hangar 9, SIU Student Programming Council, Carbondale Main Street, SIU Foundation and Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois. 

Date: Friday, Oct. 16 
Location: Illinois Avenue — Downtown Carbondale (Road Closure from College St. to Elm St.) 

Time: 3:00 PM- 9:30 PM 
Student Afterparty: 10:00 PM – 11 PM 
Admission: Free and all ages 

Where to Park 

Visitors will have multiple parking options within walking distance of Homecoming activities. Check for the event parking signs and find available parking locations here: https://www.explorecarbondale.com/1026/Carbondale-Downtown-Maps-PDF 

Saturday: SIU Homecoming Parade 

Celebrate 75 years of Saluki pride at one of Homecoming's most beloved traditions! 

After a week of traveling through the decades, Salukis past and present will come together for a parade featuring spirited floats, campus and community organizations, music and plenty of maroon. 

This year's parade commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the Dawg we've all come to know and love while celebrating the generations of Salukis who have made SIU what it is today. 

Time: 10:00 AM 
Location: The Strip — South Illinois Avenue in Downtown Carbondale 
Admission: Free and open to the community 

Saluki Football Homecoming Game 

After the parade, keep the Homecoming spirit going as Saluki Football takes on Illinois State in the 2026 Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 17. 

The SIU Alumni Association Homecoming Tailgate kicks off at noon, giving Salukis a chance to gather before the 3:00 PM kickoff. Alumni, students, fans and community members are invited to cheer on the Salukis and cap off a memorable Homecoming weekend. 

Homecoming Tailgate: 12:00 PM 
Gametime Kickoff: 3:00 PM 
Opponent: Illinois State 

Tickets are going fast, so fans are encouraged to secure theirs in advance. 

Plan Your Homecoming Weekend 

Whether you're an alum returning home, a current Saluki, or a community member joining the celebration, Homecoming weekend offers plenty of ways to be part of the tradition. 

Wear your maroon, make your plans and join Carbondale and SIU as we celebrate 75 years of Saluki pride! 

Street Closures for Homecoming Music Street Festival and Homecoming Parade 

Homecoming Music Street Festival Closure:  

Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, Illinois Avenue will be closed to through traffic between College Street and Elm Street to accommodate the SIU Homecoming Music Street Festival. All side-street access points within the closure area will also be closed. 

The closure will remain in effect until midnight Friday. Motorists are encouraged to plan accordingly, use alternate routes and follow posted traffic and detour signage. 

Parade Route Closure:  

Beginning at 7:00 AM Saturday, Oct. 17, Mill Street will be closed from Illinois Avenue to Lincoln Street.  

Then beginning at 9:00 AM, Illinois Avenue will be closed from Pleasant Hill Road to Cherry Street with University Avenue closed from Walnut Street to Mill Street.  

The following cross streets will be closed between Illinois and University Avenue:  

-Cherry Street 

-Hospital Drive 

-College Street 

-Freeman Street 

These street closures will reopen at 12:00 PM. 

For more information and media requests contact Eva Fisher, Public Relations Officer at 618-713-0711. 
 

“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open…for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”
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