We the Kings will open this year’s Palousafest, an event that has welcomed students since the 1990s, Director of Student Involvement, Colleen Quinn said.
The event helps students get used to the University of Idaho by learning about local businesses, campus offices and organizations and different school clubs.
Quinn said it is a way for incoming freshman to spend the day together by working in the morning at the Serving Your New Community (SYNC), performing community service in and around the Moscow area, and celebrating and learning about their next four years during the evening.
The evening before Palousafest, there will be a showing of the Lorax at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 in the Borah Theater to give those incoming freshman something to do their first night on campus, according to Quinn. She also said the film has a good message.
A first for Palousafest is the three musical features beginning at 6 p.m. Bart Budwig and Knights of Philly are both from the local Moscow area. After Knights of Philly, We the Kings will be the main event starting at 7 p.m. Quinn said that having these two locals coming and interacting with a popular national band would be great for them and the students.
Taylor Williams, Board Chair of Vandal Entertainment, is responsible for bringing the entertainment to the Palousafest. She said she did a lot of research on different bands and their availability. Once she found a band, it was just a matter of emailing We the Kings agent, sending the band an offer and working out the contract via email.
Also new to this year’s Palousafest are inflatables. A mechanical bull and bungee runner will all be featured for free. She said it will be cool because we will have the mechanical bull at Palousafest – just up the hill are the real cows.
Summer Student Coordinator of ASUI, Jami Riener, is in charge of contacting vendors and getting their payments. She hired people such as the local henna tattoo artist Christina Jordan and NY Johnny’s. There will be a free Pepsi fountain, free Domino’s Pizza and other perks . All these vendors will be lined up on 6th Street and the Tower lawn.
“It will be amazing. There will be tons of information from local businesses and campus offices, along with so many resources for students to learn about. It is a basic, large four hour survival kit for incoming freshman,” Riener said. “There is always more to learn from the University of Idaho.”
Quinn added that the events are opportunities to connect with other students, get free food and listen to great music.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to be a part of a college campus where it is possible to see great entertainment for free,” Quinn said.
Emily Aizawa can be reached at [email protected]