On Sept. 2, Western Kentucky University kicked off it’s season against Eastern Kentucky University with new events at tailgating, including a concert.

The Vivation, a Blues and Rock band in Bowling Green, KY, performed at the tailgating event at 3 p.m. The band consists of former professional musicians and three current elementary teachers.

According to freshman Katie Thomason, whose family has tailgated at every football game for seven years, the addition of a concert is new to pre-football game events. While there are typically concerts for homecoming games and M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, tailgating events don’t usually have live music outside of WKU’s band.

In addition to the concert, WKU added several other new activities to the opening event of the football season.

The Hilltopper Car Smash Zone, which was sponsored by the Final Finish Body Shop, gave students the opportunity to wreck a car representing EKU with a hammer for $5, which will be donated to the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation.

Presented by U.S. Bank, WKU’s Alumni Association accommodated “Tailgate and Celebrate,” which included a barbeque spread.

The “AG Corner” represented KY agriculture with Southland Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy Classroom and CPC Commodities’ Mini-Farm Display.

Regular tailgating activities, such as corn hole, Frisbee games, vendors from Buffalo Wild Wings, and a bouncy house for children, were also included.