‘Welcome Back Orange and Black’ bash set Aug. 25 for returning Idaho State University students

Idaho State University students will again have a chance to win a Bengal-painted car and other great prizes, plus enjoy free food, music and a variety of booths and entertainment during the fifth annual “Welcome Back Orange and Black” from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 25 in Old Town Pocatello.

The prize drawing will be held at 6 p.m.

“This event has grown every year we’ve held it and is only getting bigger, better and more fun,” said Valorie Watkins, event organizer. “The entire community looks forward to welcoming students back to the Idaho State University Pocatello campus. We have a lot of great prizes for drawings, and this year’s car is beautiful.”

Buses will bring students downtown, and once the students arrive, they’ll be given a free Welcome Back T-shirt donated by the ISU Credit Union. Pocatello Regional Transit and ISU buses will leave from Eighth Avenue/Cesar Chavez Way at the bus stop in front of the ISU Student Health Center across from the ISU Administration Building and from Bengal Creek off-campus.

The ISU Marching band, the Bengal Dancers, and the cheerleaders will kick off the event and students will be able to mingle with them, with ISU athletes, and the talented Benny the Bengal.

Music by Happy Havoc will keep things lively for students to listen to while they visit the various booths, or play games. Games and activities planned include basketball shooting, beer-goggle contests, baseball pitching, dunk tank, a photo booth, and a climbing wall being provided by the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck and other sponsors. A watermelon-eating contest is also planned.

Organizers are expecting dozens of booths manned by businesses and restaurants, which will be providing free food samples, coupons and drawings to promote their goods and services.

Students can win, through a random drawing, the grand-prize Bengal car, a 2010 Crown Victoria painted in orange and black with a Bengal logo and paw prints. The car was donated by the City of Pocatello and Pocatello Police Department and has been painted by the ISU College of Technology Auto Collision Program. Other prizes include a Ruckus scooter donated by Idaho Central Credit Union, a bike from Barrie’s Sports and the Portneuf Health Care Foundation, ISU parking passes, ISU Book Store certificates, ISU Chartwell’s meal tickets, a refrigerator, a microwave, an orange watch and more.

The car and rest of the prizes will be awarded through a drawing for students who present their student Bengal ID card at the celebration on the first day of fall semester.

The Idaho State Journal, KPVI-TV, Idaho State University, City of Pocatello, Old Town Pocatello, the Chamber of Commerce and many other sponsors are hosting the event. It celebrates the partnership and relationship between the university and the community.

Businesses are being encouraged to paint signs in their store windows and decorate their businesses welcoming students back and letting them know their presence and business are appreciated.

Businesses and residents are being encouraged to “Paint the Town Orange” between Aug. 11 and Sept. 28, Homecoming weekend. Participants can display ISU colors in storefronts or at their homes. Homes and businesses can sign up to receive a free Orange and Black Pack decoration package. The package contains “Go Bengals” posters, window clings, table tents and stickers. It can be secured by going to www.iloveisu.com and signing up.
I Love ISU is working alongside Welcome Back Orange and Black, which encourages Bengal decorations between Aug. 11 and Sept. 28. Orange and Black Packs will be mailed the second week of August.

For more information on the Orange and Black Packs, contact Kallee Valentine at valekall@isu.edu or 208-282-2994.

For more information on Welcome Back Orange and Black activities, contact Watkins, 208-238-1278.