Building Bridges at the Block Party

The Block Party was hosted by the City of Frostburg as a way of welcoming students back, and it was a resounding success. Set in the heart of Frostburg, the event set traffic to a stop as pedestrians roamed the streets.

Throughout the air, wonderful smells were wafting. Local food vendors were on-site offering baked goods, fried chicken, and shaved ice. It might have been called a carnival, but in reality it was a welcoming party – a party attended by hundreds of FSU students and Frostburg locals. As attendees roamed the streets of central Frostburg, they could visit stands set up by multiple local businesses and FSU organizations.

As day turned to night, the event became more exciting. Live musicians took to the stage, and the infamous hot pepper eating challenge began. As the contestants writhed in agony from the spiciness of the peppers, students and locals alike came together and mingled to enjoy the “show.”

An important facet of this event was bringing the university community and the city community together in a way that emphasized openness and mutual engagement. President Nowaczyk, who was among the attendees of the event, was pleased to see this open intermingling of university and city organizations.

In President Nowaczyk’s words, “it is important to me that students feel welcome and accepted into this community,  and I expect and encourage our students to be respectful of the community as well.” Mutual engagement and open dialog between university students and city locals is a goal which is continually worked toward by President Nowaczyk, university officials, and city officials.

“It is our desire to encourage students to take advantage of the amenities in Frostburg and the region.  We also ask and expect students to be responsible citizens, especially those living in the community where their neighbors may not be other students,” President Nowaczyk noted. This year’s Block Party event brought FSU students and citizens of Frostburg together, and despite the heat, it was a tremendous success.