EIU Media Relations

Community Invited to Lawn of Old Main for Live Music, BBQ

The community is invited to the lawn of Old Main at Eastern Illinois University to celebrate the end of the school year with live music, barbecue and family-fun activities.

The Old Main Lawn Party will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, on the lawn in front of Old Main, with community members throughout Coles County encouraged to attend the free, family-fun celebration.

“Eastern Illinois University appreciates our community’s efforts to make our students feel at home in Charleston,” said Robert Martin, vice president for university advancement. “Our second annual lawn party continues to celebrate the collaboration between EIU and the community.

“It is also an opportunity for community members to say their goodbyes to Bill Perry before he ends his tenure as president in the summer,” Martin continued.

The evening will include music by the Freezelands, a local husband-wife duo from the band Jac Freeze. Their acoustic arrangement will include music from old country favorites to rock. EIU’s Office of Student Community Service will provide games for adults and children.

Parking for the lawn party is available in the X lot to the east of Old Main. The University Police Department will not ticket after 4:30 p.m. on April 30 in the X lot. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved into Old Main.

“By hosting a celebration on the grounds of Old Main, the iconic symbol of EIU, we are physically opening our doors to the community,” Martin said. “The lawn party is EIU’s way of saying thank you.”

The lawn party is co-hosted by EIU and the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the event, click here.