Grand River Ave street sign with The Abbot apartment building in the background in East Lansing, Mich., on Oct. 29, 2025.
As Michigan State University welcomes alumni, fans and students back for homecoming weekend, the annual parade route will face several road closures as the parade moves through the city on Friday, Oct. 9.
As alumni travel back to East Lansing, drivers can expect delays throughout the afternoon in preparation for the homecoming parade.
The parade will begin at the intersection of Abbot Road and Burcham Drive at 6 p.m. and is expected to conclude on Farm Lane on MSU's campus at approximately 7:15 p.m., according to the City of East Lansing.
Several major roads along and near the parade route will close before the parade begins.
Abbot Road between Burcham Drive and Grand River Avenue will close at 5:30 p.m. and remain closed until approximately 7:15 p.m. Grand River Avenue between Harrison Road and Abbot Road will also close during that time.
Another closure will affect Grand River Avenue between Abbot Road and Collingwood Drive/Farm Lane beginning at 5:45 p.m. That section is expected to remain closed until approximately 7:15 p.m.
The closures come as East Lansing prepares for increased traffic during homecoming weekend, with construction on Grand River Avenue potentially adding another hurdle for drivers traveling through the city.
Some neighborhood streets along the parade route will also be affected earlier in the afternoon. The city said road closures will not block residents' driveways, and residents and their guests will be able to access their properties until 4:30 p.m.
Drivers are advised to plan ahead and allow additional time to reach their destinations during the parade.
The road closure on Michigan Avenue between Harrison Road and Grand River Avenue will restrict access for some residents on the south side of their neighborhood from 5:30 p.m. until the parade ends.
Construction near Panda Express and Foxtail Coffee has closed the sidewalk around the site as crews tear down the neighboring building.
"The parade doesn't use the westbound lanes, so the construction will not impact the route," said Lori Mullins, the executive director of the East Lansing Downtown Development Authority.
With the parade expected to draw additional foot traffic downtown, pedestrians may need to use alternate pathways around the construction area.
The sidewalk behind the Panda Express between Division Street and M.A.C. Avenue is a detour option for pedestrians passing through.
The sidewalk closure on Grand River Avenue does not affect business access.
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