Dates, Deadlines & Registrations

Campus departments and offices are invited to participate in the annual Homecoming Spirit Photo Contest. Departments and offices should take a photo displaying their Bearcat spirit and pride while reflecting the Homecoming theme.

All submissions will be posted to Northwest Homecoming Instagram and Twitter accounts (@NWhomecoming), where the number of likes on an image are counted as votes. Retweets and shares are not count toward vote totals but are encouraged.

Offices interested in participating should submit photos via email to hocopr@nwmissouri.edu by the deadline below. Refer to the Homecoming bylaws for detailed rules and regulations.

Questions? Contact hocopr@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496

Banner decorating has long been a Northwest Homecoming tradition. Student organizations are invited to submit a banner with their best and most original expression of Bearcat pride and the year’s Homecoming theme. All submitted banners will be displayed at the J.W. Student Union during the week of Homecoming. A panel of Northwest employees and community members will judge the banners and select winners. Refer to the Homecoming bylaws for detailed rules and regulations.

Questions? Contact hocophil@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496

Donation Creation features Bearcat structural engineering and creativity. Using only non-perishable food items, student organizations are invited to create a structure that represents their best and most original expression of Bearcat pride and the year’s Homecoming theme.

All Donation Creation structures are placed on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union for display during the week of Homecoming. A panel of Northwest employees and community members judge the Donation Creation entries and select winners. A secondary People’s Choice competition gives community members the opportunity to vote for their favorite Donation Creation entries by providing donations of non-perishable food items.

All non-perishables collected are donated to area food pantries. Refer to the Homecoming bylaws for detailed descriptions rules and regulations.

Questions? Contact hocophil@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496

The Homecoming Variety Show is a compilation of student performances, including skits and olio acts (miscellaneous performances), and concludes with the crowning of Northwest's Homecoming king and queen.

Students are invited to participate in the Variety Show as student organizations or individuals while expressing their Bearcat Pride and representing the year’s Homecoming theme through their performance. Refer to the Homecoming bylaws for detailed rules and regulations.

To purchase your Variety Show tickets, please go here.

Questions? Contact hocovariety@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496

The Homecoming Royalty Court is selected in the spring of each calendar year and recognized at the conclusion of the Variety Show, where a king and queen are crowned.

Students may begin voting at midnight Wednesday, Oct. 8, by following the link they received in their Northwest Email via Northwest Surveys; voting ends at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. The king and queen will be announced Thursday, Oct. 23, at the conclusion of the Homecoming Variety Show, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

The Homecoming parade starts at the corner of Ray and College Avenue, proceeding east on Fourth Street and ending at Main Street. The parade takes place in any weather, with the exception of lightning; patrons should not enter the parade route once the parade begins.

Route Map and patron information 

Organizations representing surrounding communities also are invited to participate in the parade by submitting a walk-in entry. Refer to the Homecoming bylaws for detailed rules and regulations.

Due by October 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
After that date, entries will be accepted as space allows. See the fee schedule below.

8/18/25 - 10/24/25 | $35 non-profit, $65 for-profit

10/25/25 (Parade Day) | $100 for all groups; must present check at the parade route

Off-Campus Entry Form

 For more information or questions, please email hocoparade@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496.

Due Friday, October 8, 2025, at 5 p.m.
This includes entries for: Dancing Clowns, Float, Jalopy, and Paper Mache Heads.

As of 2024, entry fees will be collected. Refer to Homecoming Bylaws for more information and to review participation agreement.

On-campus Registration

 For more information or questions, please email hocoparade@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496.

Due Friday, October 8, 2025, at 5 p.m.

 As of 2024, entry fees will be collected. Refer to Homecoming Bylaws for more information and to review participation agreement.

On-Campus Entry Form

 For more information or questions, please email hocoparade@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496.

Marching Band Information and Registration

 For more information or questions, please email hocoparade@nwmissouri.edu or call 660.562.1496.