Bemidji State University and BSU Alumni and Foundation invite the community of Bemidji to the Seventh Annual Community Appreciation Day, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 28. The free 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 at no charge, will begin at 4:30 p.m. 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 4:15 p.m. Guests parking in the Bangsberg parking lot are encouraged to use the lakefront trail to reach the event.

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

The event will feature the “A Taste of BSU,” featuring an array of food items from local restaurants, including ARAMARK, Qdoba, Lueken’s Village Foods, the Minnesota Nice Cafe, The Peppercorn Restaurant & Lounge, the Bemidji Area Alumni Chapter, Fire Department Fry Crew and Beaver Pride. There will be more food, great booths, lots of people and a free concert afterwards by The Johnny Holm Band, sponsored by Paul Bunyan Communications and Pepsi-Nei Bottling.

The Johnny Holm Band concert will begin at 6:30 p.m.; the band will be set up on 14th Street between Deputy and Bangsberg halls.

There will also be a “Meet the Beavers” session where kids can meet student-athletes from Bemidji State’s intercollegiate varsity sports. The players will be leading a number of interactive games, and Bucky the Beaver will be available for pictures.

In addition, dozens of booths from various campus departments and activities and local businesses and organizations, along with a variety of games for children, balloons and face painting, will be available throughout the evening. Booth spaces are still available; businesses or organizations wishing to participate in Community Appreciation Day are encouraged to call the BSU Foundation at (218) 755-2779.

Bemidji State University’s Seventh Annual Community Appreciation Day is sponsored by the BSU Alumni and Foundation, Paul Bunyan Communications, the Bemidji Pioneer,  Paul Bunyan Broadcasting, including radio stations Z99, KB101, KZY 95.5, KBUN 1450, True Oldies 104.5 and Q107, and R.P. Broadcasting, including radio stations Talk 1360, Mix 103.7, Real Country 98.3 and The River 92.1.

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