The Clemson community will gather at 6 p.m. Friday Sept. 1 to celebrate the beginning of the football season at the annual First Friday Parade in downtown Clemson. More than 70 organizations, including community groups, Clemson University departments, Panhellenic and service sororities and other student groups, will take part in the parade.
Parade route and road closure information
The parade route begins at the intersection of Cherry Road and Highway 93 and continues along Highway 93 to the lower intramural fields at Williamson Road. Parkway Drive will be barricaded at 4:30 p.m. for parade preparations. Newman and Morrison roads on campus will close at 4 p.m. before the parade. Cherry Road will close at 5:30 p.m. Highway 93 will be closed from 5:40 until the parade ends. Cars parked on those roads should be moved before the closures.
For information about Clemson Area Transit (CAT) route deviations, visit the CAT Facebook page.
Parade information
This year’s theme is “Legacy of Champions.” The parade celebrates all the current, future, and past tigers who have and continue to make their own paw prints across the world, leaving a legacy for future Tigers.
General John “Jay” Raymond will be the parade’s grand marshal. General Raymond was the first four star general to come from Clemson and is now the current head of Space Command for the Air Force.
Immediately following the parade, the men’s soccer team will play against USC at 7:30 p.m. at Riggs Field. At halftime, there will be a pep rally and the winners of the banner competition and Miss First Friday 2017 will be announced.
The Miss First Friday contest is a competition among Panhellenic and service sororities to see which can raise the most money in the “penny wars.” Jars with the name of the contestants representing each group will be located on the Cooper Library Bridge through Thursday. The contestant who raises the most money from donations on behalf of her organization’s philanthropic cause will be named Miss First Friday 2017.
The First Friday Parade precedes Clemson’s first home football game of the seasons against Kent State University on Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Contact Central Spirit’s First Friday Parade Director Abby Eubanks at cufirstfriday@gmail.com with any questions.
