The annual Firefest comes around again Thursday on the intramural fields to hype up the Bearkats for their upcoming football match against east Texas rivals Stephen F. Austin.

The event is a Bearkat tradition to get students involved in the upcoming student activities and in The Battle of the Piney Woods in Houston.

Every year at Firefest, free shirts are handed out. But this year the Department of Student Activities is doing something a little different. In order to receive a shirt, event goers must give one canned food item in exchange until the supply of 1,000 shirts is gone.

The canned good items will be collected throughout the week at the Center for Leadership and Service and then Thursday evening at Firefest, Associate Director of Department of Student Activities Brandon Cooper said. The items will be donated to the Good Shepherd Mission of Huntsville.

There will be games, food and even a mechanical bull for anyone brave enough to attempt to ride. There are different activities for different ages, including a limited number of prizes and giveaways at the booths.

Sam Houston State University President Dana Gibson will talk about her experience with the SamSwitch program, a contest in which she let nursing student Karri Jones become president of the university for a day.

SHSU teams will be introduced by their coaches to the masses assembled and inform students about upcoming events. Bearkat talent will be showcased by the Bearkat Marching Band, The Orange Pride dance team and the SHSU cheerleaders.

According to gobearkat.com, there are still tickets available at the annual game against SFA Saturday at Reliant Stadium at 3 p.m. There will be free food and a strong support of the football team at this game against the university’s fiercest rivals.

Firefest will be at 7 p.m..

Canned food donations can be dropped off at the Center for Leadership and Service in Lowman Student Center room 324A.