WOW Downtown Community Party, Aug. 22

The college will kick-off its Week of Welcome (WOW) activities on Saturday, Aug. 22, with the Downtown Community Party. The family-friendly festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the corner of Main and Virginia Streets. Two bands will provide live entertainment -- Runnin’ Wild Band (rock & blues) and Centrevol (alternative).

The free event also features carnival games and prizes, “Bungee Bull,” inflatable jumper and slide, face-painting and food vendors. Local businesses also will extend their hours during the party.

“The WOW Downtown Community Party is a chance to introduce new students to everything Gunnison has to offer and to acquaint them to their new town,” said Sara Phillips, assistant director of campus life and orientation. “Western and Gunnison have so many interwoven times, and this event also is a celebration of our relationships.

“We’re also advertising to students all the other local activities in Gunnison and Crested Butte, such as the car show and farmer’s markets, to get them out and about in their new surroundings.”

WSC students also will be treated to a variety of campus activities throughout the first week of school, ranging from a pizza party hosted by Nunn Construction, slip-and-slide and other “old school games” around campus, ultimate Frisbee match, and an outdoor movie night. In addition, college’s Wilderness Pursuits program is hosting a variety of day trips to introduce new students to the recreational opportunities in the Gunnison Valley.

“Starting college and being a new face in a new place is difficult. In addition to getting them acquainted to the college and campus living, we want our students to feel comfortable in their new town so they aren’t afraid to venture beyond the residence halls,” Phillips said. “They are now just as much part of the Gunnison Valley community as they are Western State College.”

2009 WEEK OF WELCOME HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, August 21

            10:00am-5:00pm         Orientation-fourth session

            7:30pm-10:00pm         Capture the Flag with Live D.J. Music in Taylor Quad

Saturday, August 22

            9:00am-4:00pm           WOW Wilderness Pursuits Trips: Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Rafting. 

                                             Free w/$10 Refundable Deposit. Sign up in Ute Hall.

            5:00pm                      Transfer Student Mixer w/ Complementary Appetizers - Gunnison Brewery

            6:00pm-10:00pm         WOW Downtown Community Party in Downtown Gunnison

            10:00pm-12:00am       After Party and Old School Lawn Games in Ute Lounge & Taylor Quad

Monday, August 24

            5:00pm-8:00pm           Nunn Construction Pizza Party by WSC Skatepark

Tuesday, August 25

            7:00pm-9:00pm           Jeopardy in Mears Lounge

            7:00pm-9:00pm           Wilderness Pursuits Slideshow in Ute Lounge

            9:00pm-11:00pm         Outdoor Lawn Movie, "Angels and Demons," in Taylor Quad

Thursday, August 27

            8:00pm-10:00pm         Ultimate Frisbee and Live D.J. Music – Taylor Quad

Friday, August 28

            8:00pm-2:00am           “Amplified” Free outdoor live acoustic music and live D.J. music at the Gunnison Arts

                                             Center.

Saturday, August 29

            9:00am-4:00pm           WOW Wilderness Pursuits Trips: Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Rafting. Free w/ $10

                                             Refundable Deposit. Sign up at Ute Hall Front Desk.

            8:00am-5:00pm           Bouldering Bonanza – for information contact Luke Mehall: 970.943.7053

            1:00pm                      WSC’s First Football Game of the Season – Free with student ID