Posted July 31, 2017
By NWC News Desk
From food trucks, live entertainment and a free concert, to a Poker Run, downtown window painting and a Heart Mountain hike, Northwest College is painting the town red Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25-26.
The Paint the Town Red initiative has its root in Powell Economic Partnership’s strategic plan discussions that pointed to a desire to gain more of a “college town” feel in Powell, according to NWC President Stefani Hicswa.
“PEP wants the downtown area to carry more of a ‘college town’ look, and NWC wants to increase engagement with Powell residents,” said NWC President Stefani Hicswa, a PEP Board of Directors member. “These events seem like wonderful events to satisfy both interests.”
From those discussions, the college launched its Connect to Community (C2C) program.
“Since NWC’s dominant college color is crimson, a ‘Paint the Town Red’ theme seemed most appropriate,” Hicswa said. “These are going to be great community events, and we hope everyone joins the fun!”
NWC students, in their first week of fall classes, will be encouraged to be part of the events as well. They’ll receive dinner tickets for use with food trucks.
“These events are really a great kickoff for our businesses and community members to welcome the new school year and start building a stronger relationship with Northwest College, one of our biggest assets,” PEP Executive Director Christine Bekes said.
FRIDAY, AUG. 25 – 4 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
- Food – Food trucks will be available, or participants can visit their favorite downtown restaurant.
- Poker Run – After picking up a score card at the Poker Run table, attendees visit participating businesses, where they select a random card from each store’s deck. Participants record each one on their score card, and if they visit enough businesses to make a full hand, they’re in the running for prizes. Participants submit completed score cards to the Poker Run table at the end of the night for judges to determine winners and award prizes.
- Face painting and socializing – Participants are encouraged to take photos and tag their friends with #PaintTheTownRedPowell.
- Basketball contests and Trapper Booster Club activities – Basketball contests with prizes as well as other Trapper Booster Club activities are planned. Participants can meet their favorite Trapper athletes and get autographs in addition to entering a raffle for a Trapper jersey.
- Window painting – Local groups, clubs and teams will paint several local business windows, and participants vote on the best red-painted window. Painters will win a prize and bragging rights for the best window.
- Live entertainment – Local performers will provide entertainment at Plaza Diane.
- Heart Mountain hike registration – Registration will be available for Saturday’s Trapper Booster Club “Heart of a Trapper” trail run and hike at Heart Mountain.
- Free concert – Third-place finisher from Season 6 of The Voice, Kristin Merlin, performs at Plaza Diane at 7 p.m.
- Street dance – A late-evening street dance with DJ wraps up the event.
SATURDAY, AUG. 26 – MORNING
- “Heart of a Trapper” Trail Run and Hike – The Trapper Booster Club encourages outdoor enthusiasts to ascend Heart Mountain either by casual hiking or, for the seriously physically fit, by running ... or a combination of both. For times and details or to register early, go to http://www.active.com and search “Heart of a Trapper.”
In addition, business-sponsored light pole banners on Bent Street will feature red NWC banners and orange Powell High School banners. The new banners are expected to be installed in time for the events.
Paint the Town Red details are available at http://nwc.edu/red. Follow the NWC Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NorthwestCollegeWyo for updates.
