To kick off football season, FAU is bringing American Idol winner Kris Allen and BET Hip Hop Award-winning artist Waka Flocka Flame for its 12th annual fall bonfire and concert. 

The event is free for FAU students — all you’ll need to get in is your Owl card. Assistant Director of Student Involvement Richard Mahler said the cost to host the bonfire and pay the musicians was in between $80,000 to $90,000. The bonfire is hosted by the Student Activities and Involvement office and Program Board, the event-hosting body of Student Government.

“Every year we strive to put together the best show and experience possible for the FAU community. This year we have gone a little bigger on the performers and will be burning a 22-foot tall version of UCF’s mascot Knightro,” said Mahler.

The bonfire will open with a performance of hip-hop violinist Mapy at approximately 6:45 p.m., then Kris Allen at 7:45 p.m., and then the final performance from Waka Flocka Flame at 9 p.m. The bonfire lighting will conclude the night at 10 p.m.

FAU will also present the Owlsley Cup between performances, an award given to a student, faculty/staff, or alumni that perpetuate, create, or embody university traditions and spirit. 

In the past, FAU has had artists like We The Kings, Hollywood Undead, The Misfits, and All Time Low headline the annual bonfire. This year’s bonfire marks Waka Flocka Flame’s second appearance at FAU, the first being Fly On Fest in 2017.

The event will still take place on the Housing Lawn, but there won’t be any food vendors because of space restrictions and ongoing construction, according to Mahler.

The Fall bonfire and concert will take place on the Boca campus Housing Lawn on Sept. 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. FAU will have security staff and police on site for the event. 

Israel Fontoura is the news editor with the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, follow @israelofontoura on Twitter or email [email protected]