The first-ever Friends of Veishea barbecue will be held Saturday on central campus following the completion of the parade.

The informal event is open to past Veishea executive committee members as well as those who have donated money toward Veishea, said Elizabeth Wood, Friends of Veishea co-chairwoman.

“This is a way for past Veishea alumni to reminiscence and get back together,” said Wood, junior in construction engineering.

Last year, the event consisted of a formal dinner held in “an adult atmosphere,” but this year, the event is “family-oriented,” said Whitney Enger, Friends of Veishea co-chairwoman.

“[When it was a] formal event last year, not many attended,” Wood said. “The informal atmosphere should attract more people and participation.”

The barbecue, which is being catered by Hickory Park Restaurant, will reunite the 1974 Veishea executive committee members for their 25th anniversary.

Two members of the ’74 committee will speak at the barbecue along with Wood, Enger and Veishea Central Committee Co-Chairs Aimee Lee and Scott DeSotel about their Veishea experiences.

A performance by the Shaggy Boys, an a cappella group mainly composed of Iowa State students, also will be included as entertainment.

“The Shaggy Boys will do a wide range of songs from oldies to newer, more current songs,” Wood said. “They should appeal to everyone.”

The Friends of Veishea committee mailed about 500 invitations with RSVP cards to past committee members.

“Veishea began in 1922. Although we didn’t contact members that far back, the farthest back that we went this year was 1974,” Wood said.

Participants can buy tickets the day of the event at a tent near the Campanile. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 10 and under.

The event is projected to last about two hours with people “coming and going,” Enger said.