The fourth annual event blends athletic passion, musical performance, and student involvement

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Friday, August 24, 2012

The fourth-annual Hawkapalooza will feature a lunchtime tailgate party, a pep rally, and an evening concert from Grammy-award winning superstar T-Pain.

The festival will take place in Hubbard Park on Thursday, Sept. 6, two days before the Hawkeyes take on the Iowa State Cyclones in their first home football game of the season. Hawkapalooza events are free and open to both students and the general public.

T-Pain publicity photo
T-Pain

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hubbard Park will be transformed into the Ultimate Tailgate with popular tailgating games, free food from local vendors, and opportunities to win Hawkeye swag. The activities will model fun, responsible tailgating behavior while providing an opportunity for students to hang out together while channeling their spirit for fall athletics.

The park will re-open for the evening’s festivities at 6 p.m. (Those with Hawks Nest membership cards will be admitted at 5:50 p.m.) The pep rally is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. Hawks Nest will introduce football, wrestling, and men’s and women’s basketball coaches and players. And Dance Marathon students will perform a rally dance.

After the pep rally, "Hard & B” artist T-Pain will take the stage.

The Florida native exploded onto the rhythmic scene with his 2005 debut Rappa Ternt Sanga. He launched his label, Nappy Boy Entertainment, the same year.

T-Pain has made guest appearances on tracks by Li’l Wayne, Ludacris, Kanye West, T.I., R. Kelly, and many others. His newest album, rEVOLVEr, was released in December and features the Top 10 single “5 O’clock” with Lily Allen and Wiz Khalifa and “Best Love Song” featuring Chris Brown.

Hawkapalooza is a collaboration between Hawks Nest and SCOPE Productions. It consistently draws upwards of 10,000 students.

People with disabilities are encouraged to call 319-335-3395 for special accommodations.