ISU Communiversity’s eighth annual “Welcome Back Orange and Black” set 4-7 p.m. Aug. 28

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. It is being held this year on the second Monday of the semester because of the class cancellation for the solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

“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 participating students. The whole physical layout of the event has been changed again and, as always, we have some great 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 Reed Gymnasium parking lot and will drop off students on Main Street in front of the Old Town Pavilion.

KORR 104’s on-air personality Kelly Martinez will be the master of ceremonies for the event. Music, karaoke and lip-sync 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.

Students can win, through a random drawing, a Honda Ruckus from Idaho Central Credit Union, $1,000 gift card from Jensen Jewelers and a Marlin mountain bike valued at $440 from Portneuf Health Trust. Other prizes include two $250 flex pass meal tickets from Chartwells, a Go Pro camera from ISU Credit Union, two $100 gift certificates from the ISU Bookstore, a microwave from the City of Pocatello, 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 encouraged to “Paint the Town Orange and Black,” before Aug. 21. Decorations can remain up through Sept. 24, 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.