The sounds of laughter, live music and fireworks echoed across South Lawn, as former and current Hilltoppers gathered to let loose and have fun before classes begin Monday.
Friday night marked the fifth-annual Meijer Topper Fest, presented by PNC Bank. The event was open to WKU students, faculty, staff and the Bowling Green community in celebration of the start of the new academic year and the end of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, a transition program designed for all new undergraduate students.
WKU President Timothy Caboni attended Topper Fest, where he briefly spoke on stage and acknowledged the Class of 2029.
Caboni told the Herald that Topper Fest is a great way for first year students to celebrate the end of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan and the beginning of the school year with the entire Bowling Green community.
“What makes a great college town is that the whole place comes together and we’ll have a couple thousand folks out here on the lawn tonight partying, eating, having an adult beverage and celebrating everything we do as a university,” Caboni said.
Mark Duncan, store director at Meijer, said that he enjoys helping sponsor Topper Fest every year with the university. He said it’s exciting getting to see new students, especially those from places that don’t have a Meijer.
“It’s more about taking care of the community,” Duncan said. “Meijer is family-owned like I said, and we always want to give back to the community.”
The event featured autographs from select WKU student athletes, an appearance and photo opportunity with Big Red and a firework show at dusk.
WKU Lady Topper basketball player Torri James said this is her second Topper Fest signing autographs.
James said she is grateful to have fans ask for her autograph, especially since the women’s basketball team doesn’t have as many people approaching them as the men’s team.
“We don’t get as many as the boys, so when they come support, we remember their faces,” James said.
The Downtown Band performed live throughout the night while kids could enjoy inflatables and activities like corn hole, Jenga, Connect 4 and other yard games. Strung up fairy lights helped create a dance floor in the field that grew more crowded as the night went on.
Que Pasa Tacos, Auntie Anne’s and Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard had lines of people outside their trucks on the hot evening. WKU Catering also had a tent with hot dogs, burgers and Philly Cheesesteaks.
Other local vendors like Houchens Food Group, South Central Bank and fast food chains in the area attended the festival with free goodies, games and information at their tents. Student support services in the community like Hope Harbor, Graves Gilbert Clinic and the Alumni Association also had tents set up with information and prizes.
Landon Johnson, freshman sports psychology major, said he enjoyed the free stuff at Topper Fest, but his favorite part was just getting to see new faces.
“I come from a small town, so I know everybody,” Johnson said. “So, coming here to M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan has been pretty good. I like not knowing anybody in the room.”
