Welch Avenue will once again play host to the sights, sounds and tastes of Veishea as the Taste of Veishea celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday.

Taste of Veishea is an opportunity for local vendors to get involved in the ISU community by providing a variety of cuisine on Welch Avenue the entire weekend.

Beth Cooper, junior in communication studies, is in charge of vendors and contracts for the event. She said a wide variety of vendors are coming, including more local vendors than in past years.

Cooper said vendors include Benoit Concession, Smith Concession, Hy-Vee, Happy Joe’s, Smiles and Gyros, the Broiler, Iowa Barbecue Society and Joe and Juana’s Mexican Food.

Brian Nash, senior in mechanical engineering and general co-chair of Taste of Veishea, said Friday’s Battle of the Bands will begin at 2 p.m. with Keepers of the Carpet. Continuing on the hour are the Stylists, Marcato, Far Cry, PE Allstars, Kountertop, Poison Control Center, Level Headed and Dead By Wednesday. Karma Lab will end the event at 11 p.m. Nash said after Battle of the Bands, a DJ will take over from KCCQ.

Nash said Saturday’s entertainment on the Taste Stage will begin at 2 p.m. and is to be announced. At 2:45 p.m. the SALT Company band will play followed by One Shy of a Dozen at 3:30 p.m. The ISU pom squad performs at 4:15 p.m. and entertainment at 4:30 p.m. is to be announced.

Charlie Oberg performs at 5 p.m., and at 6 p.m. entertainment is to be announced. Grandma MoJo’s Moonshine Revival will start at 7 p.m. followed by a Drums and Tuba’s performance at 8:15 p.m. The Battle of the Bands winner will play at 9:30 p.m. and a KCCQ DJ will finish the entertainment again, Nash said.

Eric Yarwood, Taste of Veishea adviser, said there will be a great variety of entertainment this year.

“There is a little bit of everything this year,” Yarwood said. “We have done as much as we can to make sure students have a great time.”

Nash said he is looking forward to seeing all of the work come together for Taste of Veishea.

“It will be fantastic when it comes to a head; I encourage all students to come,” he said. “There will be something for everybody from cultural and arts events to the entertainment of the bands.”