CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University kicked off the 2023 football season with the second annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium. In spite of the extreme heat and humidity, hundreds of Governors fans came out for the free event to show their support for the team and the university.

Players met with fans and signed autographs on an exclusive 2023 season poster. Maynard Family Field was also filled with vendors and university organizations on the Morton Family Track with food trucks, games, giveaways and inflatables for the kids.

The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Head Coach Scotty Walden speaks to the crowd as the Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Bryce Robinson & Coach Scotty Walden as the Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dr. Mike Licari, Kirsten Licari, Grace Lord & Walt Lord at the kick-off of the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Haven Madison entertains the crowd as the Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Haven Madison entertains the crowd as the Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Haven Madison entertains the crowd as the Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
The Governors of Austin Peay kick off the 2023 football season with the Second Annual Govs Fest at Fortera Stadium on Aug. 25, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

APSU Head Football Coach Scotty Walden said Govs Fest was awesome. “We’ve got such an amazing university. An amazing facility, and amazing energy right now. We want people to be a part of it and we want to get out and show people what we’re made of, and show people what we’re doing,” Walden said.

Walden praised Austin Peay President Dr. Michael Licari and Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison for their support. Walden asked everyone in the community to join in and celebrate the beginning of school, the beginning of the football season, and come out and support the Govs.

Adding to the entertainment for the event, Haven Madison took the stage for a free concert. The Friday night at Govs Fest was topped off with a fireworks show, and APSU students dancing the night away at Glowchella, a music festival themed party on the intramural field.

The Governors open the season on Saturday, Sept. 2, on the road at Southern Illinois University.