 | Devin Gorman is Marketing and Communications Director for the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. The Pittsburg Area Chamber is the leading advocate for the business community and is supported by a membership of over 500 businesses, organizations and individuals committed to the growth and economic livelihood of the Pittsburg area. For additional information, call 620-231-1000 or visit www.pittsburgareachamber.com. |
Community Events
2012-08-30 08:33:34
Paint the town red
Paint It, Black was a number one hit for The Rolling Stones in 1966, but in the Pittsburg area we like to Paint It, Red. In fact, every year we like to Paint the Town Red in celebration of Pittsburg State University’s first home football game. The excitement of seeing the Pittsburg area covered with crimson and gold, split face logos and gorilla statues has made Paint the Town Red one of the most widely anticipated community events in southeast Kansas. Now in its seventh year, Paint the Town Red has garnered national attention from the NCAA and was identified as a model event for other communities looking to engage their Division II universities.
Throughout the days leading up to Paint the Town Red, area businesses transform into symbols of gorilla pride with painted windows and decorated lawns. The business decorating contest generates fierce competition amongst area businesses, and for the first time ever, a Community Favorite Award will be chosen by area residents. The chamber is also excited to announce that residents can join in the competition this year by decorating their homes in an attempt to win the first ever Residential Decorating Award. Residential contest decorating forms (available online) must be submitted in order to have a house judged.
A full lineup of events will take place Wednesday, September 5 through game day on Saturday, September 8. Residential and campus decoration judging will take place on Thursday, along with a community pep rally at Gorilla Village at 6 p.m.
Friday’s events will include the business contest judging, PSU Athlete Autograph Session and Official Paint the Town Red Balloon Launch for all third grade students in Crawford County. Voting for the Community Favorite Award (business decorating contest) will be available at PittsburgAreaChamber.com beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and will close at noon on Friday.
Friday evening, everyone is invited to downtown Pittsburg for a Meet & Greet the Gorillas event. Numerous PSU student athletes will be signing autographs at downtown stores, and the PSU National Championship DVD: Champions – The Road to Florence will be playing throughout the evening in the parking lot of M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group.
Saturday is game day, and the PSU Students in Free Enterprise will start the day off with a 5K run. The highly anticipated home opener kicks off at 6 p.m. with PSU playing host to Central Oklahoma. Winners from each division of the business decorating contest will be announced at the game and presented with the Paint the Town Red travelling trophies.
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone to participate in the festivities. For a full schedule of events, and contest entry forms, visit www.pittsburgareachamber.com or call 231-1000.
Devin Gorman is Marketing and Communications Director for the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. The Pittsburg Area Chamber is the leading advocate for the business community and is supported by a membership of over 500 businesses, organizations and individuals committed to the growth and economic livelihood of the Pittsburg area. For additional information, call 620-231-1000 or visit www.pittsburgareachamber.com.
