Students and Local Businesses Connect with ‘Frostburg 101: A Taste of the City’

Matt Cumblidge / September 10, 2016 / 3.1k

Around 220 FSU students explored shops and restaurants on Main Street on Saturday, Sept. 10 during “Frostburg 101: A Taste of the City,” the first event of its kind. Between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., city businesses offered sales and discounts to attract students, while restaurants provided specials and samples. Students were able to enter raffle giveaways and appreciate live musical performances as well. The event, as well as the annual Frostburg City Block Party, held three days earlier, aimed to bring FSU students of all grades together with the community and local businesses. SafeRide provided transportation to and from campus and a city trolley helped transport students between businesses.

Accompanying the sales and specials was a city-wide pseudo-scavenger hunt. Students participating in the day’s activities were given “passports” to check at establishments, earning stamps for every new establishment visited. Students mingled with shop owners, perused merchandise, and took advantage of sales while earning their stamps. Full passports were eligible to be entered into a raffle for one of three prizes: an Insta 360 Nano Camera, choice of a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription, and a selection of gift cards to local businesses.

Jim Barne's extensive selection of Vera Bradley merchandise enticed many students to shop at Crestmont throughout the day (TBL/Nick DeMichele). — Jim Barne’s extensive selection of Vera Bradley merchandise enticed many students to shop at Crestmont throughout the day (TBL/Nick DeMichele).

Jim Barnes of Crestmont LTD. was particularly satisfied with the success of the event, stating, “It’s bringing back my youth, seeing all the students in the store.” Next door at Main Street Books, students browsed Fred Powell’s bookstore, weaving between stacks of the latest releases. Students routinely reported excitement at discovering businesses and restaurants that they hope to revisit.

SGA Officers (April Kinyua, Nick DeMichele, James Kirk) wrap up Frostburg 101 registration. The event was sponsored by the SGA, among others. (TBL/Woody Getz)

The event, a collaboration between FrostburgFirst, the Student Government Association, and the university’s Student and Community Involvement department, was designed to bring together two key populations within the city: established business owners and students with buying power. The Frostburg City Council, the FSU Foundation, and FSU’s SGA sponsored transportation system, SafeRide, and all played vital roles in implementing the event, as did EchoStars volunteers. Promotional efforts targeted freshman that may be unfamiliar with Main Street and environs.

Frostburg City Commissioner of Public Works Woody Getz canvassed Main Street as the event concluded and spoke with participating business owners. Getz reported widespread satisfaction with event turnout and expressed his hope that the event becomes annual.

Featured video composed by TBL intern Matt Cumblidge.