FRYfest 2023 will celebrate 75 years of Herky

Herky the Hawkeye will star at this year's FryFest, as hundreds of guests help the University of Iowa mascot celebrate its 75th birthday.

Now in its 14th year, the festival builds anticipation for the upcoming college football season, held the night before the first game. FRYfest started when a council member in Coralville suggested renaming First Ave in Coralville to Hayden Fry Way on the 10th anniversary of the former football coach's retirement.

Think Iowa City decided to unveil the name change at a festival.

"When 20,000 people showed up [to the first FRYfest], we pretty much knew this [would] become an annual thing," said Josh Schamberger, President of Think Iowa City. "A new tradition to usher in the start of the football season. The event gets most of Hawkeye nation to town 24 hours early and brings substantial economic impact to the larger community."

The 2023 version, held at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville, will feel similar to the first year. Attendees can expect the Hawkeye tradeshow, autograph sessions, interactive engagements, the iconic pep rally, as well as live music, from local act Trophy Dads to high-energy cover band POProcks.

"Just a good 'ol high porch picnic, as coach Fry would call it," Schamberger said.

An honorary guest

Herky the Hawkeye will add extra buzz as well.

The Hawkeye mascot has been the symbol of the University of Iowa for three-quarters of a century. Created by Richard Spencer III, an instructor of journalism at the UI, Herky was an instantaneous hit. The mascot became a mainstay as the years wore on, and can now be spotted throughout the Iowa City corridor.

"[Herky is] the best mascot not just in the Big Ten but the country," Schamberger said.

Mascots across Iowa will join the celebration, helping lead a raucous pep rally.

"We also have a very special announcement that the public will love," Schamberger said. "The announcement will be a huge hit."

For more information about FRYfest, click here.

Schedule of panels, autograph sessions and awards

9:45 - 3:45 p.m.: Herky poster giveaway and artist autograph session

10:00 – 10:45 a.m.: 2023 Hall of Fame Class Panel

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Iowa Baseball Autograph Session

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.: 2023 Hall of Fame Class Autograph Session

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Dan Gable Autograph Session

1:30 – 2:15 p.m.: Iowa Women's Wrestling Panel

2:15 – 3:00 p.m.: Iowa Women's Wrestling Autograph Session

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Friends of Herky Panel

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Iowa Women's Basketball Autograph Session

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: What to know for the 14th annual FRYfest in Coralville