Bemidji State University and BSU Alumni and Foundation invite the community of Bemidji to the Eighth Annual Community Appreciation Day, scheduled for Aug. 29. The free event is Bemidji State’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.

The event, which is sponsored by Pepsi-Nei Bottling and Paul Bunyan Communications, will feature the “A Taste of BSU” featuring an array of food items from local restaurants and organizations, including Bemidji Area Alumni Association, ARAMARK, Lueken’s Village Foods, the Minnesota Nice Cafe, Fire Department Fry Crew, Beaver Pride, Ridiculous Creations/Nostalgia, the Peppercorn Restaurant and Lounge, RP Broadcasting, Pepsi-Nei Bottling and Marvelous Fish House & Market.

The event also will feature a free concert by Voltage, BSU’s student electronic music ensemble which recently spent a month on an exchange program in China, and the Bemidji State Jazz Band.

There will also be a “Meet the Beavers” session where kids can meet student-athletes from BSU’s varsity intercollegiate sports. Student-athletes 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.

Other sponsors of Bemidji State University’s Eighth Annual Community Appreciation Day include 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.

Contact 
• Joe Czapiewski; development officer, BSU Alumni & Foundation; (218) 755-2762

Media
• Photo gallery from 2012 Community Appreciation Day