PHOTOS: USC welcomes students with First Night Carolina

The University of South Carolina held its annual First Night Carolina celebration on Aug. 19, 2024. The event included appearances from Gamecock head football coach Shane Beamer, head men's basketball coach Lamont Paris and head women's basketball coach Dawn Staley. Students also enjoyed free food, carnival events and live music. The night concluded with a firework show, lighting up the sky above Russell House. USC's fall semester begins Aug. 20.

University of South Carolina students wave their rally towels to Sandstorm during the First Night Carolina event on Aug. 19, 2024. The event, held every year the night before classes begin, started on the Horseshoe before moving to Greene Street with a DJ and carnival games.

A welcome sign sits on the main stage of the First Night Carolina event on Aug. 19, 2024. The event welcomed students back to campus and featured performances from the Carolina Band, cheerleaders and DJs.

Women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley poses for a photo with a student after addressing the crowd at First Night Carolina on Aug. 19, 2024. Staley was joined by Shane Beamer, Lamont Paris and university President Michael Amiridis to welcome students back to campus.

First Night Carolina attendees make a "spurs up" motion with their hands on Greene Street. Gamecock Entertainment hosts First Night Carolina every year as part of the “Carolina Welcome” series of events.

A University of South Carolina student dances in front of other students during First Night Carolina on Aug. 19, 2024. Students were offered free food, carnival games, live music and a fireworks show as part of the annual event.

South Carolina head football coach Shane Beamer addresses students during the First Night Carolina event on Aug. 19, 2024. Beamer assured students they chose the right university and encouraged them to attend upcoming home football games.

A Feature Twirler performs with the Carolina Band on the Horseshoe on Aug. 19, 2024. The band performed as part of the First Night Carolina event, welcoming students back to campus.

The Carolina Band performs for students on the Horseshoe at the beginning of the First Night Carolina event on Aug. 19, 2024. The band’s performance was followed by speeches from Shane Beamer, Lamont Paris and Dawn Staley before the event moved to Greene Street to finish.

Head men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris embraces head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley during the First Night Carolina event on Aug. 19, 2024. Paris and Staley spoke to students as part of the annual event.

DJ iAM plays music for students on Greene Street during the First Night Carolina event on Aug. 19, 2024. The event ended with a firework show for students on the night before classes begin.

University of South Carolina students gather on Greene Street on Aug. 19, 2024, as part of the First Night Carolina event. The annual event welcomes students back to campus on the night before classes begin.

A performer shows off his jewelry during First Night Carolina on Aug. 19, 2024. The event saw appearances from Dawn Staley, Lamont Paris and Shane Beamer, among others.

A performer plays for students on the Russell House patio during the First Night Carolina event on Aug. 19, 2024. Students were offered free food, carnival games, live music and a fireworks show as part of the annual event.

University of South Carolina students record a fireworks show in front of the Russell House to mark the end of First Night Carolina on Aug. 19, 2024. Along with the fireworks show, students were offered free food, carnival games and live music as part of the annual event.