By: Dax Larson - BSU Assistant Director of Athletic Media

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State University, the Alumni Association and the BSU Foundation hosted the community of Bemidji at the Sixth Annual Community Appreciation Day, Thursday Aug. 25. The event was Bemidji State University’s way to thank the residents of Bemidji and the surrounding communities for all they do to support the University. The event featured the “A Taste of BSU,” featuring an array of food items from local restaurants and organizations including Coca-Cola, Lueken’s Village Foods, Aramark, Qdoba, Minnesota Nice Café, Beaver Pride, Bemidji Area Alumni Chapter and the Bemidji Fire Department Fry Crew.

There was also a “Meet the Beavers” session where kids met student-athletes from Bemidji State intercollegiate varsity sports. The players led a number of interactive games and Bucky the Beaver was available for photographs. In addition, dozens of booths from various campus departments and activities and local businesses and organizations, along with a variety of games for children, balloons and face painting, were available throughout the evening. At 7 p.m., the festivities moved to Chet Anderson Stadium, where the Beavers set an all-time attendance record of 4,711 for their season-opening football game against Minot State University. Following the game, Paul Bunyan Communications sponsored a fabulous fireworks show directly over Chet Anderson Stadium. Throughout the evening, money was collected for the Minot Flood Relief and BSU President Dr. Richard Hanson presented a check to Minot State President Dr. David Fuller after the third quarter of the game.

Community Appreciation Day was sponsored by the BSU Foundation and Alumni Association, Paul Bunyan Communications, the Bemidji Pioneer and Paul Bunyan Broadcasting.

 

Community Appreciation Day photo gallery -

http://www.bemidjistate.edu/offices/communications_marketing/photography/media_gallery/#num=1&id=72157627545271486

 

Game photo gallery (action shots, crowd shots and check presentation) - http://www.bsubeavers.com/football/photos/