The biannual Hillsborough Hike, an event where students and friends attempt to drink at every single bar on Hillsborough Street on the last day of class every semester, is fast approaching.

The Senior Class Council is planning a new addition to the Hike — a band party.

Captain Cook and the Coconuts, a Jimmy Buffett cover band, is set to play close to the Belltower in a free show for students on Hike night.

The event will offer free catered food, according to the coordinator, Carla Babb, a senior in communication and the 2006 senior class president.

She said she hopes Melvin’s will be able to cater, but that the food will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

“I expect everybody to come out and have a good time,” Babb said. “People can continue the Hike or go home afterwards — it really offers something for everybody.”

A section of Watauga Street will be closed off with help from Campus Police, Babb said, to ensure the safety of the students attending the event.

She said the band is set to play facing campus, and onlookers will be able to watch from the open green space around the belltower.

Rodney Bass, a junior in civil engineering, said he has never taken part in the event, but plans to Hike the entire street.

“If I’m not drunk by the end of it, I’m going to be disappointed,” he said with a laugh.

He said he thinks closing the street and having a band is a great idea to allow all students to get involved in the tradition.

“A ton more students will probably come out,” he said. “It might draw more of a younger crowd.”

Although he said the addition of underclassmen may deter some seniors from the Hike, the overall attendance will be higher with the promotions planned for this year.

The Hike is successful because it’s an opportunity for large groups of friends to go out and try the different bars on the street, according to Bass.

“I expect that a more diverse group of students, including underclassmen, will join in the traditional festivities of the Hillsborough Hike,” Student Senate President Zach Adams said.

Adams said drinks will not be provided at the event, but noted that he doesn’t anticipate a problem if students of a legal age bring drinks in the appropriate containers to the concert.

The Student Senate has appropriated $1600 to provide for the event’s expenses, Adams said.

He said planning the event, with the cooperation of the Hillsborough Street Commission and Senior Class Council, has been successful due to the relationships built through progressive dinners the Student Government has sponsored over the last several semesters.

Adams said he hopes the concert will help to attract additional student participation and bring more business to the vendors on Hillsborough Street.

Trent Johnson, a senior in construction engineering and management, said he has done the Hike twice in the past and plans to head out to this year’s event.

“It’s one thing N.C. State actually does,” he said. “It’s one of the few party things they actually allow.”

He pointed to the spring Hike as being a much bigger success than the winter event, due to the warmer weather.

Tyler Barrick, a senior in parks, recreation and tourism, echoed Johnson’s thoughts.

“The spring Hike is a lot better than the fall’s because the weather is better,” he said.

Barrick also added that people participating in the Hike get to experience new bars.

“You get a chance to go to bars that you otherwise wouldn’t consider going to,” he said.

In the coming years, Johnson said he would like to see students developing a Halloween Hike to offer a local alternative to UNC-Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street festivities.

For students new to the Hike, Johnson advises to start early.

“If you’re trying to end up at East Village you better start real early,” he said.