ISU Communiversity’s seventh annual “Welcome Back Orange and Black” set 4-7 p.m. Aug. 22

Welcome Back Orange and Black, held every fall, is one of two ISU Communiversity events held annually to celebrate the partnership between the University and community; the other is Celebrate Idaho State held on campus each spring.

“This is one of the highlights of the year for the entire community, welcoming back Idaho State University students to Pocatello and campus,” said Stephanie Palagi, event organizer and executive director of Old Town Pocatello.  “This year’s event features some new fun for the participating students. The whole physical layout of the event has been changed and we have some great new prizes and games.”

The main prize drawing will be held at 6:15 p.m. to students who present their Bengal ID card at the celebration. Participants must be present to win.

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 the bus stop in the north Holt Arena Parking lot.

KORR 104’s on-air personality Kelly Martinez will be the master of ceremonies for the event. Music, karaoke and lipsync will be provided by Todd Thompson. The Bengal cheerleaders, ISU athletes, Benny the Bengal, ISU Marching band and the Bengal Dancers will be there.

Organizers are expecting dozens of booths manned by businesses and restaurants, which will provide free food samples, coupons and drawings to promote their goods and services. Students can compete in a watermelon-eating contest.  New this year, the area at and near the Welcome Back Orange and Black site will be enhanced for Pokemon Go players.

Students can win, through a random drawing, a Macbook and iPad Pro donated by Idaho Central Credit Union, a bike donated by the Barrie’s Ski and Sports and a $1,000 gift card from Jensen Jewelers. Other prizes include two $250 flex pass meal tickets from Chartwells, one reserved parking spot at ISU for the entire year, three semester parking pass at ISU, two $200 gift certificates from the ISU Bookstore, a microwave oven from Pocatello Electric, another microwave oven from Anne Nichols, a refrigerator from Idaho Power, two Associated Students of ISU Ambush tickets ($100 value) and more smaller prizes.

The Idaho State Journal, Idaho State University, City of Pocatello, Old Town Pocatello, Inc., and the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce will host the event.

Businesses and residents are being encouraged to “Paint the Town Orange and Black,” before Aug. 22. Decorations can remain up through Sept. 18, the start of ISU Homecoming week.  Participants can display ISU colors in storefronts or at their homes.  To download posters and for tips on decorating, visit www.isucommuniversity.com/decorating-challenge.

For more information on Welcome Back Orange and Black activities, contact Stephanie Palagi at spalagi@oldtownpocatello.com or visit www.isucommuniversity.com/home/welcome-back-orange-black.