The homecoming pep rally organized by LiveIt Up! on Hillsborough Street spent only $5,000 of its $8,000 budget, according to David Dean, director of programs for Live It Up! on Hillsborough Street. 

The homecoming parade and pep rally pumped students up for the homecoming game on Hillsborough Street Friday evening. and the pep rally was set in front of Groucho’s Deli on the corner of Horne Street and Hillsborough Street. 

The homecoming parade and pep rally was  sponsorsed by the NC State Alumni Association and Live It Up! on Hillsborough Street, and was supported by Groucho’s Deli and Bluetique, according to Dean. The Raleigh Police Department was also present to assist with the parade. 

To get students out to the rally, the vendors provided gift packages for the first 300 students to check in with their student ID. Bluetique gave $1,500 away in gift cards and Groucho’s Deli gave out $3,000 in food and passed out “Groucho’s Swag Bags” with $5 gift cards and drink Koozies.

“The event was a great way to come together with my peers and fellow students from other colleges,” said Maurice Goldston, a freshman studying political science. 

“There wasn’t anything not to enjoy besides the weather,” Goldston said. “The event could have gotten a larger turnout if there was more word-of-mouth broadcasting of the event and schedules posted.”

Both head football coach Dave Doeren and men’s basketball coach Mark Gottfried spoke at the pep rally. 

Performers included the Ladies in Red, the university’s all-female a cappella group, Sube Ritmo, a student Latin Dance team, and the band Barleycorn & Rye.

“Just from what we saw along the parade route on Hillsborough Street, it was a much bigger crowd than what we’ve seen in years past,” Dean said. “It’s really starting to take root. Every year, more and more people come out to the parade.”