Friday at 6:30 p.m. Program Council, Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the Athletics Department will present Block Party on the Boulevard.

This event hopes to unify the campus, celebrate a new school year and wish the football team a victorious season.

Those attending will receive a free barbecue dinner and giveaways from Muscle Milk, Vera Bradley and Newegg.com.

There will also be plenty of entertainment, including a DJ, the Mustang Band, the cheer and pom squads, an appearance from Peruna and a mechanical bull.

At approximately 8 p.m., football coach June Jones will give a few words, followed by a performance from artist Brad Cooper.

Program Council’s vice president of programming, Jonathan Machemehl, said the event will be unlike any other Program Council has hosted in the past.

Machemehl hopes the Block Party will become an annual event on SMU’s campus.

Elise McDonald, Program Council president, wants students to come to the Block Party and get “fired up” about the upcoming football season and centennial celebrations.

Overall, McDonald said Program Council’s primary goal was to create an event that the entire SMU student body would enjoy.

“I think I speak for everyone in PC, IFC and athletics when I say that we are most excited about Block Party on the Boulevard being a unifying event for the entire campus,” McDonald said.

Program Council began planning the event in May.

Throughout the summer, Program Council, IFC and the

Athletics Department worked to ensure that an event of this

size would be feasible early in the school year.

They also worked to ensure that no details would be forgotten, including refreshments — Program Council will have over 750 water bottles at the event — and shady areas to combat the sun.