Anna Taylor
Assistant Features Editor
Murray State’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America is kicking off the semester this afternoon with their Bands ‘N’ BBQ Blowout in the Quad in front of Lovett Auditorium.
Residents of Murray and surrounding communities are invited to attend this free event. There will be barbecue from Brother’s BBQ and Fat Freddie’s BBQ and music from local bands.
The bands scheduled to perform are Oh Yeah Dakota, Vicious Mistress, 3/8 Drive, The Jackson Purchase, Very Strangely, Tree Rollins Band and Rolling Smoke.
Lauren Rosentreter, vice president of PRSSA and senior from Paris, Tenn., said this is the third ever Bands ‘N’ BBQ.
“It was started like each event that we do, as a fundraiser for us to be able to support our chapter to go to professional development opportunities such as the national conference,” she said.
Rosentreter said the first Bands ‘N’ BBQ was in 2008 and located at the Murray-Calloway Central Park. The 2009 Bands ‘N’ BBQ was in the park also but was canceled due to rain. They decided not to have it in 2010 but are back this year at a new location.
“We took a year off and decided to re-vamp the location to on campus hoping to bring in a new crowd,” Rosentreter said.
Tony Hoskie, president of PRSSA and sophomore from Murray, and Rosentreter have worked throughout the summer on this event, according to Robin Orvino, Murray State’s PRSSA faculty adviser.
“There was a lot of leg-work (preparing the event),” Hoskie said. “(From) looking at budgets to talking to the bands and sponsors, getting them booked, talking to vendors, having to deal with facilities management and going through the President’s Office.”
Orvino said with all of these responsibilities and all the events and activities that PRSSA does throughout the year, the members get prepared for their future careers.
“Basically it’s my role to give the students the knowledge and understanding that they need so they can do more and more by themselves,” she said. “While they are learning to be a PR practitioner they are actually starting to practice public relations in the organization. This Bands ‘N’ BBQ is a great opportunity to actually be involved and plan, promote and coordinate the whole event.”
Though the food, drinks and T-shirts have a set price, percentages of the money earned will go to support PRSSA in funding for trips. The main goal for fundraising is raising enough money to support student travel to the PRSSA national conference in Orlando, Fla., in October. Donations to PRSSA and the bands will be accepted.
Cheers Food & Fuel, ZAX Imprinted Sportswear, 98.3 WRIK-FM, Antiv Music Group, The Journey Church, Kentucky Shores Family Fun Center, Pepsi Mid-America, Wal-mart and C4 Foto are sponsoring the event.
Orvino said anyone interested in helping at the event can contact her, Hoskie or Rosentreter. Anyone who wants to help, regardless of membership in PRSSA or a public relations major, is welcome.
The event runs from 3:30 – 9 p.m. In the case of rain, the event will move into Lovett Auditorium.
Following Bands ‘N’ BBQ is the Bands ‘N’ BBQ Blowout After Party at The Olive. The doors open at 8 p.m. with music at 9 p.m. from AuTia with special guests Voyage of Slaves and The Commonwealth of American Natives.
Contact Taylor