Rappers, Race Cars Rule Packapalooza

As a race car driver and fulltime student, NC State junior Harrison Rhodes rarely has a chance to sit still.

Saturday, however, he’ll be hanging out on Hillsborough Street with more than 55,000 Wolfpack students, alumni, faculty, staff and area residents as one of many featured guests at the fourth-annual Packapalooza community festival.

Rhodes, who is studying business management, will have with him one of the fastest red cars in in the state—a specially wrapped NC State-branded Camaro that matches the NC State-branded suit he’s been wearing all year long on the NASCAR Xfinity circuit.

Rhodes has been successful on the track—he finished in the top 10 last month at the Daytona International Speedway—and in the classroom. While racing this summer, he successfully completed an online business ethics class.

He’s signed up for two more on-campus and two more online classes this fall, as he completes the second half of the Xfinity season.

Rhodes will sign autographs 3-3:30 p.m. and 6-6:30 p.m. at the Wolfpack Zone on Hillsborough Street.

Throughout the day, all 23 NC State varsity sports teams, plus the cheerleaders and Mr. and Ms. Wuf, will be on hand for pictures and/or autographs in the Wolfpack Zone.

A variety of musical acts will keep Hillsborough Street rocking throughout the day on three different stages, building up to a closing performance by the Wolfpack Hip Hop Time Machine, with NC State alumna Rapsody and Grammy Award-winner 9th Wonder, Petey Pablo, Nappy Roots, Terminator X and NC State alumnus DJ DVS, which is set to begin at approximately 8 p.m.

Check out this feature story on Rapsody’s rise in the ranks of rap in this week’s Indy Week. DJ DVS got his start with a hiphop show at WKNC, the campus student radio station.

Other NC State based entertainers—from University Recreation’s PackaZumba to a Cirque de Vol aerial performance and a line dancing exhibition—as well as vendors of all kinds will be on hand throughout the day.

Attendees are encouraged to help build two Shack-A-Thon sheds in the service zone to help kick off NC State’s annual Habitat for Humanity fundraiser.

From 7 to 7:45 p.m., Chancellor Randy Woodson will be on the main stage for special recognition of featured guests and to make an announcement about a future service project that will impact Wolfpack students, staff and faculty.

A full schedule of events is available online and those in attendance can download the free Packapalooza mobile app for iPhones and Android phones.

If you’re going, be sure to use the hashtag #Packapalooza on social media for prize drawings throughout the day.

BAND LINE UP FOR 2015

Belltower Stage

HEADLINERS – The Wolfpack Hip Hop Time Machine with Rapsody and 9th Wonder, Petey Pablo, Nappy Roots, Terminator X and DJ DVS – Closing show (approximately 8 p.m.)
Stone Age Romeos – cover
Mo’Jazz – R&B/jazz
Carson Hill – country
The Sand Band – beach/cover
DJ Drake

DH Hill Stage
Dr. Copter – progressive/rock
The Beast – alternative/fusion
Drake Murphy – alternative
Dark Water Rising – americana/soul
The Island Time Band – beach/cover
DJ E-Rich

Show Stage