WSC Students Headed Back to Class; WOW Downtown Community Party, Aug. 21

The college will kick-off its Week of Welcome (WOW) activities on Saturday, Aug. 21 with the Downtown Community Party. The free, family-friendly festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the corner of Main and Virginia Streets. Three bands will provide live entertainment. The line-up includes: Iola (local bluegrass band lead by WSC professor Dan Cress); Hillside Avenue (rock, reggae, soul); and Dressy Bessy (rock, power-pop, soul).

The free event also features carnival games and prizes, Adrenaline Rush II inflatable obstacle course, inflatable jumper and slide, face-painting, caricature artist, hot-dog eating contest 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. “We’re also advertising to students all the other local activities in Gunnison and Crested Butte, such as the car show, farmer’s markets and 24 Hours in the Sage mountain bike race, to get them out and about in their new surroundings.”

The community also is welcome to participate in two other WOW events: the first-ever Urban Downhill Mountain Bike Race on Aug. 22 and the 5th Annual Butte Bouldering Bonanza on Aug. 28.

Hosted by the WSC mountain bike team, the Urban Downhill Mountain Bike Race will test competitors’ courage as they ride down the water tower hill above the Mountaineer Bowl, crossing Escalante drive and entering campus through the Escalante complex breezeway, navigating several cases of stairs and finishing near the campus skate park. There will be mountain bike and townie categories. Registration kicks off at noon on Sunday, Aug. 22, at the WSC College Center, and the competition starts at 1 p.m. There is a $5 entry fee with WSC student ID, and $8 entry fee without a student ID. Prizes will be awarded.

Rounding out the week’s activities is the 5th Annual Butte Bouldering Bonanza on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Skyland Boulders in Crested Butte. Sponsored by the WSC climbing club, this year’s competition format is “12 hours of Highballs,” where climbers are challenged to complete as many boulder problems as possible from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. All climbers are welcome and there will be various categories according to ability level. Spectators and casual climbers also are encouraged to attend. There is a $10 entry fee, and prizes will be awarded to the top male and female climbers, as well as a prize for the best funky costume.

WSC students also will be treated to a variety of campus activities throughout the first week of school, ranging from a Student Government Association sponsored water balloon fight to a giant slip-and-slide brought in by Program Council. Other events include a glow-in-the-dark ultimate Frisbee game, Humans vs. Zombies game, Athletics pep rally and an outdoor movie night. In addition, the college’s Wilderness Pursuits program is hosting a variety of free day trips to introduce new students to the recreational opportunities in the Gunnison Valley.

Western’s goal for the Week of Welcome is to eliminate any hesitation that might prevent a student from getting involved in the school and the community. By providing a week’s worth of engaging activities and events, there is sure to be something for all students to enjoy.

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