2025 Topper Fest takes place on the Hill

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Friday night on the Hill, Western Kentucky University held its fifth annual start to the school year event: Topper Fest.

Students and community members alike were able to take in a variety of fun activities, like listening to live music, having autographs signed by different hilltopper athletes, and for the younger fans, the best part of the night was taking a trip down the ‘Bouncing B’s’ slides.

For the WKU players and coaches, Topper Fest is their first opportunity to kick off the athletic season and celebrate with the community.

“ It’s crazy. Sometimes in the summer it seems like this place gets pretty quiet and then all of a sudden, before you know it, you snap your finger and it’s live and exciting, so, great to see everybody out,” WKU basketball head coach Hank Plona said. “I know volleyball has an exhibition game tomorrow, I know football has a game next Saturday, so it picks up fast and it’s great to see Bowling Green and WKU get back lively, and I know we’re all looking forward to this year.”

“Well, first my favorite thing is to do is interact with the fans. It’s fun to see and be able to meet everybody. I love the music, but I love the food trucks,” WKU volleyball setter Callie Bauer said. “I’m a food junkie, so that’s my favorite thing out here.”