If you enjoy friends, free food and music, you are bound to find a good time at the second annual Billiken Music Festival.
The festival returns to the Busch Student Center Amphitheater on Aug. 28 for the first of four Saturday evening concerts.

On the first Saturday, the student-opening act will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a performance by Southern Cross Band at 7 p.m., with outdoor games planned for afterwards.

“This will be a fun, laid -back atmosphere where people can hang out, enjoy music and meet people too,” said Alex Chapman, event organizer and Billikens After Dark intern.

The festival creator, senior Craig Stoecklin, wanted to bring more music to campus and decided to create an event that would be similar to the music festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

He contacted Chapman, and the festival grew from there.

“We were looking at ways to expose students to music and the arts,” Chapman said.

Last year the festival was held on Wednesday evenings in April, but organizers decided to move it to Saturday nights this fall so more students would be able to attend.

“We had a few issues with rain last year,” Stoecklin said.

This year, they hope to have four rain-free Saturdays so that students can be exposed to all kinds of music.

Organizers are featuring a different genre of music each week. After Southern Cross, the main acts will play jazz, followed by Indie and ending with a cover band.

In addition, the performances will be followed by either a movie or an outdoor game, such as the Bean Bag toss, so that students have more time to socialize.

“There is always something to do after the live music,” Chapman said.

If all that isn’t enough, free popcorn and soda will also be offered.

So even if you are not a music buff, make time to come out and see the second annual Billiken Music Festival. It’s sure to be a good time.