October 13, 2007

The public is invited to Ohio University's Eastern Campus on Saturday, Oct. 13 for the 50th Anniversary Fall Festival. Activities for people of all ages will run 3pm-8pm. Admission is free. This academic year marks the 50th year Ohio University has offered classes in the Ohio Valley.

The kick-off ceremony for the festival will be at 3pm at the back of Shannon Hall, the main building on campus.

At 3:30 pm, an antique car show, inflatable fun park for children, and tours of campus including the Great Western Schoolhouse and the covered bridge will open and run until 6pm. There is open registration for the car show. Folks entering their cars in the cruise-in will receive dash-plaques. Oldies music will be provided during the cruise-in. Children can play in the inflatable fun park that will be located between Shannon Hall and the Health and Physical Education Center. Tours of Shannon Hall will include a back-stage tour of the theater, the campus art gallery, and the new science labs. Shuttles will also take visitors to the covered bridge for a brief history lesson and then to the Great Western One-Room Schoolhouse to step back in time with the school marm.

Families are invited to picnic on the back lawn. Everyone is welcome to bring their own food, but food will also be available for purchase from 4pm-7pm.

Local Band, The Fabulous Bender Boys, will play in the Health and Physical Education Center at 6pm. The Fabulous Bender Boys, featuring Roger Hoard, Jim Miller, Chad Smith, and Mike Mazure, formed in 2003 and consider their style to be "Where Rhythm & Blues meets Buck Owens."

Following the Fabulous Bender Boys in the Health and Physical Education Center will be a laser light show for the whole family at 7:30. This will feature a look back at the last 50 years through music and lights.

"This is an exciting time for us. We wanted to show our appreciation to the community for all their support the last 50 years. The community has made us what we are today. We hope that everyone -people of all ages, alumni, friends, and even those who have never been on campus - will come out and enjoy the afternoon and evening with us. It will be a fun day!" said Debra Jamison, co-chair of the anniversary committee.

Please park in the lots on the main campus. Shuttles will take people to the covered bridge and one-room schoolhouse.

For more information about the festival, please call Debra Jamison at 740-699-2494.