WKU faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members will kick off the 2023-24 academic year at Topper Fest at 5:30 p.m. Friday on the South Lawn. The third annual Topper Fest is paired with Fan Fest, another Hilltopper tradition, and will feature food from Aramark and food truck vendors; children’s activities, yard games and more; autograph sessions with Hilltopper student athletes; a petting zoo hosted by the WKU Department of Agriculture and Food Science; music by The Downtown Band; and fireworks. WKU faculty and staff members will receive two free drink tickets with a WKU ID.