The annual First Friday Parade, celebrating the opening weekend of the 2025 home football schedule, is set for Aug. 29. The parade will begin at 6:05 p.m. from Hwy 93, beginning at the Cherry Road intersection in front of the Hub at Douthit Hills and ending at the Lower Intramural Field (IPTAY Lot 1). Students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and Tiger fans are invited to join in the festivities and celebrate this year’s theme of “Eye of the Tiger, Heart of the Champion.”
Women’s basketball coach Shawn Poppie is serving as this year’s grand marshal. Poppie completed his first season at Clemson in 2024-25, guiding the Tigers to a pair of top-25 wins and renewed energy among women’s basketball fans. The parade includes planned appearances from many other dignitaries, including President Jim Clements, student organizations, spirit groups and Tiger Band.
“My first parade was a feeling I’ll never forget,” says Emily Thurman, a junior nursing major who serves as Central Spirit’s parade director. “Turning out of the Hub and seeing a sea of orange and the incredible passion for Clemson made me feel so rooted in the Clemson Family.”
New this year, a flyover is scheduled to take place at the start of the parade. Maj. Jeff Butler ’05 is piloting his last flight after 20 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. He is the lead aviator for a pair of F/A 18 Cs of VMFA-112 “Cowboys” from Fort Worth, Texas.
Spectators typically line up along the Hwy 93 route, including throughout Bowman Field. ACC Network will have a stage set up on Bowman prior to the parade and live shots for its signature football show “ACC Huddle” will be broadcast throughout the afternoon and evening.
“I’m a lifelong Clemson fan and grew up coming to the First Friday Parade,” says Brooke Livingston, sophomore criminal justice major and assistant parade director. “I’m so happy to help curate these traditions for Clemson students and excited to welcome everyone to town as we prepare for the LSU game.”
Participating groups are encouraged to arrive as early as 4:30 p.m. to begin lining up behind the Hub at Douthit Hills. The Cherry Road and Hwy 93 intersection is scheduled to close at the start of the parade and traffic will be redirected. Parking for the event is available in Lot C-3 (IPTAY Lot 5) next to Memorial Stadium.
Following the parade, the men’s soccer team hosts UAB at Historic Riggs Field at 7 p.m.
