BEMIDJI, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2010) — Bemidji State University, the Alumni Association and the BSU Foundation invite the community of Bemidji to the Fifth Annual Community Appreciation Day, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 24. The event is Bemidji State University’s way to thank the residents of Bemidji and the surrounding communities for all they do to support the University.

The event, which is open to the public free of charge, will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will run until after dusk at the BSU Pavilion and lake side areas on the BSU campus. Free shuttle bus service from the parking lots at Bangsberg Hall and the John Glas Fieldhouse will begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. Visitors can also use the lakeside trail from the Bangsberg parking lot to reach the event.

In event of inclement weather, Community Appreciation Day will be moved to the John Glas Fieldhouse.

The Community Appreciation Day will feature the “A Taste of BSU” food bonanza, featuring an array of Bemidji State-themed food items from local restaurants and organizations including Lueken’s Village Foods, Peppercorn, Minnesota Nice Cafe, Aramark, Coca-Cola, the BSU Bemidji Alumni Chapter and the Beaver Pride/Bemidji Fire Department Fry Crew.

There will also be a “Meet the Beavers” session with an opportunity to meet a variety of student-athletes from Bemidji State’s intercollegiate varsity sports. The players will be leading a number of interactive games for kids, who also will have an opportunity to meet and take pictures with Bucky the Beaver.

In addition more than two dozen booths from various campus departments and activities and a variety of games for children, plus balloons and face painting, will be available throughout the evening.

Community Appreciation Day will also feature a live entertainment headlined by the band Pelican Railroad.

At 8 p.m., the festivities will move to Chet Anderson Stadium for the inaugural BSU All-Stars vs. Bemidji Community All-Stars flag football game. This exhibition will feature a number of BSU student athletes taking on notable residents the Bemidji community.

At dusk following the football game, the event will conclude with a fireworks show presented by Paul Bunyan Telephone.

The Fifth Annual Community Appreciation Day is sponsored by the BSU Foundation and Alumni Association, Paul Bunyan Telephone, the Bemidji Pioneer and Paul Bunyan Broadcasting, which includes the radio stations Z99, KB101, KZY, KBUN and True Oldies 104.5.

For more information about Community Appreciation Day, please contact the BSU Foundation at (218) 755-2762.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Aug. 24 – 5:30 p.m. – Bemidji State University hosts its Fifth Annual Community Appreciation Day. Location: BSU Pavilion and lake side by the Hobson Memorial Union, BSU campus. Admission: free. Gates open and shuttle service from Bangsberg and John Glas Fieldhouse parking lots begins at 5:30 p.m. Information: (218) 755-2762.