The College Events Board will be hosting its first themed Harvard-Yale pep rally—Light Up the Yard—on Thursday, bringing student performances, free food, and Harvard spirit to the Old Yard.

The CEB’s fifth annual pep rally will take place in front of the John Harvard statue from 8:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will feature the Harvard University Band, the Harvard Glee Club, stand-up comedy performed by Peter D. Davis ’12, Harvard Expressions Dance Company, an inter-House hot-dog eating competition, a Poi performance by a student, Harvard University Cheerleading, the Harvard University Football team, and the student band Third Rail, in that order.

Davis, who is currently running for Undergraduate Council vice president, will also emcee the festivities.

In accordance with the pep rally’s theme, the CEB will be decorating the Yard with lights and giving out a limited number of glow-in-the-dark shutter shades to students. Free hot chocolate, cider, donuts, and chowder will also be available.

For freshmen, the First Year Social Committee will also be hosting a pre-pep rally behind Stoughton and Hollis Halls at 8 p.m.

The FYSC will offer free face paint and an opportunity for freshmen to gather before running into the Old Yard as a class, according to the event’s Freshman Publicity Chair Jillian M. Smith ’14.

After the 2008 pep rally featuring DJ Girl Talk was cut short due to problems with the stage setup and crowd control, the CEB revamped the event to revolve around student performances and “to show how great Harvard is and what we have to offer here,” said CEB Chair Moira E. Forberg ’11.

While the format of Thursday’s pep rally will be similar to that of last year’s, Forberg said the addition of Third Rail to the line-up should make it “more of a high-energy event.”

“We’re trying to get the best of all worlds,” Forberg added. “We want to combine high energy student performances with a dance party.”

With the additions to this year’s line-up and free goodies for attendees, the CEB expects a high turnout on Thursday night, according to Forberg.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: November 18, 2010

An earlier version of the Nov. 17 news article "Pep Rally To Offer Shutter Shades, Performances" incorrectly reported that the Harvard-Yale pep rally will feature a glowstick performance by Poi. In fact, the event will feature a Poi performance by a student.