The 26th annual Black Squirrel Festival is being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in front of the Student Center and will feature plenty of live music and barbecued food.

The festival is staged each year by the Kent Student Center’s Programming Department.

Kevin Pospichel, manager of Kent Student Center Programming, is excited for the event.

“There are over 40 vendors that bring everything from coupons to clothing, to art to discounts at local salons and tattoo parlors,” he said. “Also, the poster sale is always big.”

Live music will be on the menu all day, featuring four local bands: The Speedbumps, Annabel, Lotus Grove, and Red Sun Rising.

Music won’t be the only thing to satisfy students.

Students can get free snow cones or purchase some barbecue with their meal plan.

“There will be giveaways every hour, if not every half-hour,” he said. “We’ll be giving away T-shirts, gift cards, as well as some baseball tickets.”

More than 20 student organizations will also be represented at the festival, all looking for prospective members.

– Channing Hindel