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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) \u2014 Champaign\u2019s very own REO Speedwagon is set to return to the U of I campus during Homecoming festivities<\/a>, and a familiar face is returning to the lineup.<\/p>\n Members of the chart-topping classic rock band will serve as grand marshals of the Homecoming parade on Sept. 26. Longtime lead singer Kevin Cronin will be joining Alan Gratzer, Neal Doughty and Bruce Hall for the festivities. Cronin was not present for the group\u2019s last show<\/a> back in June at the State Farm Center.<\/p>\n PHOTOS: WCIA joins REO Speedwagon at rehearsal ahead of concert <\/a><\/p>\n The band members will also be featured guests during the football gameday events on Sept. 27.<\/p>\n The parade is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the corner of Fourth Street and Kirby Avenue, heading west on Gregory Drive and turning south on First Street. A post-parade party featuring food, music and fireworks will take place in Lot 31 after the parade.<\/p>\n At the Illinois vs. USC football game on Sept. 27, the band members will participate in the traditional sounding of the air raid siren and will take the field with Barry Houser and the Marching Illini to collaborate on an REO Speedwagon-themed halftime show that will feature a medley of the band\u2019s hit songs.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m honored to be invited to Illinois Homecoming weekend,\u201d Gratzer said. \u201cChampaign will always be a special place for me after going to school there, founding REO and meeting my wife, Nancy, on campus. I\u2019m still not sure why she left the doctoral program to move to California with a rock drummer.\u00a0I have so many great memories from my college days at the U. of I. and can\u2019t wait to hear the Marching Illini playing REO songs.\u201d<\/p>\n