Brad Paisley concert highlights a busy weekend on campus

Thousands of Baylor students and members of the Waco community packed Fountain Mall Friday night to welcome country superstar Brad Paisley, whose “Country Nation” college tour was at the center of the annual campus Traditions Rally. [See photos here.]

Friday night opened with a student tailgate, followed by the main event in the heart of campus: a pep rally, opening act The Raging Idiots and finally Paisley himself — the biggest artist to play Baylor in over a decade — who performed for almost two hours, all while wearing a green-and-gold Baylor t-shirt.

Food trucks kept the 7,000+ in attendance well-fed, and a nearly 10-minute fireworks finale over Pat Neff ended the night. And that was all before Saturday’s Baylor football home opener, which included the Class of 2019’s first Baylor Line run and ended with a 66-31 win over Lamar. What a weekend!

Other special guests on campus this fall include former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, the guest at President Ken Starr’s next “On Topic” (Sept. 23) and Grammy Award-winning Christian hip hop artist Lecrae (Oct. 2). But first up for Baylor: the annual Family Weekend, this Friday and Saturday. Get your tickets now for After Dark, Dinner at the Hippodrome, and tours of McLane Stadium.

Sic ’em, Bears!