FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009
Contacts:
Angie Fletcher, Kindred Communications, 304-523-8401
Dave Wellman, Marshall University, 304-696-7153
 

‘Herdfest’ to kick off 2009 season of Thundering Herd football

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – “Herdfest,” the official kickoff for Marshall University’s 2009 football season, will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, under the marquee of the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center on 4th Avenue.

The event is hosted by 93.7 FM, The Dawg, and precedes by two days the Thundering Herd’s season-opening football game. Marshall plays host to Southern Illinois at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

The flagship station for Marshall University athletics will celebrate the start of the Thundering Herd football season with a party featuring Marshall football Coach Mark Snyder, Herd cheerleaders, street vendors, inflatables for children and beach music from The Tams.

Participants also include Mayor Kim Wolfe, the Marching Thunder Pep Band, Marco and Athletic Director Mike Hamrick.

Entertainment, in addition to the pep band and The Tams, will be provided by the 14 Karat Gold Band.

The Dawg  will begin an on-site live remote at 6 p.m. with several give-away items including official Herdfest t-shirts. The 14 Karat Gold Band will perform at 7 p.m.

At 8 p.m., a caravan with Snyder, the cheerleaders, Marco, and the pep band will depart Gino’s Pub at the conclusion of the coach’s first call-in show of the season. At 8:20 p.m., the pep band will perform in front of the main stage on 4th Avenue. Then, each of the dignitaries will briefly address the crowd of Herd fans and family, concluding with the famous “We Are ... Marshall” cheer. The Tams, with their patented brand of high-energy music, choreography, and showmanship, will perform at 9 p.m.

“ ‘Herdfest’ ” has been in the works since early last winter. Our company working with Marshall to insure a quality event is always a pleasure,” said Mike Kirtner, president of Kindred Communications, parent company of 93.7 FM, The Dawg. “Our biggest promotions always involve Marshall, and this one will not be an exception.”

The official Marshall football kickoff festival is being provided at no charge to the public.

“This event is a gift from Marshall and our company to the community and those that support Marshall University,” Kirtner said. “We want this to be a special night for everyone that attends.”

Kindred is working with the Marshall University Department of Athletics, the Big Green Scholarship Foundation and the Marshall University Alumni Association to present the event. Sponsors include Marshall University, St. Mary’s Hospital, Atomic Distributing, the Marshall University Alumni Association, Kindred Communications, the City of Huntington, and MPE Entertainment.

“Herdfest” will represent the conclusion of Kindred Communications’ “Celebrate Huntington” Concert Series. The locally-owned broadcasting company, with five other signals on the air in Huntington and the Herd Insider magazine, has hosted monthly concerts since May featuring famous musical acts, beginning with The Drifters and ending with The Tams.

The City of Huntington will close 4th Avenue at 5 p.m. at both 10th Street and 9th Street for “Herdfest.”

All proceeds from Herdfest will benefit the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

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