Annual VSU Homecoming Parade to Return After 2-year Hiatus

The 2022 Homecoming Parade will feature local favorites and 13+ bands from five states.

Virginia State University is excited to announce the return of the annual VSU Homecoming Parade. The yearly tradition has been canceled for the past two years due to COVID-19. 

The 2022 VSU Homecoming Parade will take place this Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 9:00 am beginning in Old Towne Petersburg and ending at the VSU Multipurpose Center. The parade will feature crowd favorites like the world-renowned VSU Woo-Woos, the award-winning Trojan Explosion Marching Band, and more than thirteen high school bands/dance teams composed of 700 students from as far away as New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. 

 “Homecoming and its traditions are a major part of the VSU experience. It is, in essence, a family reunion for our students, alums, families, and the local community. This homecoming presents a new level of excitement as it is our first traditional homecoming since 2019,” said VSU President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “Our theme is 'Something Greater On The Hill.’ In addition to the parade, we have planned festivities that appeal to the various interests of our Trojans. We are excited to show off our many new upgrades to campus, celebrate a victory, and welcome everyone safely back to the ‘Greater’ at VSU.”

The parade will begin near the Union Train Station in Old Towne Petersburg and travel west on Old Street (which turns into Grove Ave), turning right on North Chesterfield Avenue. It will then continue and make a right on Boisseau Street, left on University Avenue, another left on Stadium Drive, and a final left onto MPC Way, disbanding at the Multi-Purpose Center. See attached map. 

The Homecoming Parade Marshalls will feature highly respected VSU Faculty Emeriti, Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson and Dr. Gerald Burton. 

Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson is widely known as the creator of the nationally acclaimed Woo Woo cheerleading squad. She was the first female Athletic Director in VSU history and head coach at VSU during the softball team’s first CIAA Championship. In addition, she is in the VSU Athletic Hall of Fame and was the first cheerleading coach in the CIAA Hall of Fame. 

Dr. Gerald Burton taught more than 10,000 students as a VSU faculty member for more than 43 years. He served as Chair of the Faculty Senate, President of the American Association of University Professors, VSU Chief Marshall for nearly 25 years, and currently serves as Chair of the Board for the Communities in Schools of Petersburg. 

The theme for the 2022 VSU Homecoming is “Something GREATER on the Hill.” Visit the VSU Homecoming Page on the VSU website for the complete list of events.