For the 12th year, Bemidji State University is opening its doors to the residents of Bemidji and the surrounding communities to thank them for their support through its annual Community Appreciation Day event.

The Aug. 31 event, which is open to the public at no charge, begins at 4:30 p.m. at the BSU Pavilion and lakeside areas on the BSU campus. Free shuttle service from the parking lots at the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex 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.

Sponsored by Paul Bunyan Communications, Community Appreciation Day will again feature the “A Taste of BSU”, giving guests a free sampling of food items from local restaurants and organizations. This year’s participants include the BSU Alumni Associations, Minnesota Nice Café & Catering, Big River Scoop, Harmony Foods, Lueken’s Deli & Grill, Tara, Jimmy Johns, Wollman Coffee Roasters, Paul Bunyan Broadcasting & Subway, Nei Bottling Inc., RP Broadcasting and Culver’s.

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 contact BSU Alumni and Foundation.

Bemidji State University’s 12th Annual Community Appreciation Day is sponsored by the Bemidji Pioneer; Paul Bunyan Communications and Gigazone; Paul Bunyan Broadcasting, which includes radio stations Z99, KB101, KZY95.5, and KBUN 1450 AM; and RP Broadcasting, which includes Real Country 98.3, Mix 103.7, WMIS 92.1 The River, Talk Radio 1360 AM and 1300 AM The Legends.

Contact

• Jana Wolff, director of annual giving programs, BSU Alumni & Foundation; (218) 755-2872, jwolff@bemidjistate.edu

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international andmulticultural understanding.

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