Every year on the Thursday and Friday nights before the first home K-State football game, Purple Power Play on Poyntz puts on a pep rally. The city closes off several blocks of Poyntz Avenue – the main street through downtown – for vendors to set up booths and people to mill around. The marching band, cheerleaders, football team and coaches turn out.  Here are a few photos from this year’s Thursday night portion. On Friday night, after all the other festivities are over, they set off fireworks. It is a popular event with an estimated 20,000 people attending over the two-day period.