Thousands Expected at WSU’s 12th Annual Wildcat Block Party

OGDEN, Utah — The annual Weber State University Wildcat Block Party will draw thousands to an outdoor, back-to-school celebration, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is a chance to entertain and educate students and the community about how to get involved in all the activities the university offers.
New this year, in collaboration with the WSU fire marshal, Ogden City Fire Department will have its fire training trailer at the Block Party. Designed to resemble a real apartment kitchen, the trailer uses heat, smoke, sound effects and digital flames to demonstrate an intense fire emergency.

Participants will extinguish simulated kitchen fires that seem true to life but are completely safe — an especially useful skill for new freshmen learning to cook. Participants who extinguish                                                                                                                                the flames will receive a free “I conquered the beast” T-shirt.

“You need to be strong and courageous and believe you can do almost anything,” said WSU’s Fire Marshal, Steve Ford. “After all, in the case of fire, your life depends on it.” 

The trailer will be parked near the Stewart Bell Tower and remain there Sept. 6-9 for additional fire-safety training of students, faculty and staff.

The Block Party begins with the annual President’s Purple Pancake Breakfast at 8 a.m., where President Charles A. Wight and other WSU administrators will serve free breakfast. Campus and community booths open at 8:30 a.m. Sponsored activities are scheduled throughout the day. 

Students with valid Wildcards may pick up food passports at the Shepherd Union Information Desk then visit various locations to collect passport stamps and Weber Dining samples.  Students may then enter their passports in a grand-prize drawing.

More than 150 groups are expected to sponsor booths for the event around the theme “It’s a Jungle Out There.” The booths will be divided into categories such as academic departments, campus and community partners, commercial groups and WSU clubs and organizations.

“The block party is one of the most important traditions we have at WSU,” said Tara Peris-Caputo, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership. “It allows the entire campus to celebrate the many services, majors, departments, activities and organizations we have here.”

The booths, food and fun will run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Parking will be available on Harrison Boulevard and at the pay lot on the south side of the Shepherd Union Building.

For more information, visit weber.edu/blockparty.

Author:

Melissa Smith, administrative specialist for Public Relations
801-626-6348 • melissasmith9@weber.edu

Contact:

Tara Peris-Caputo, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership
801-626-7334 • taraperis@weber.edu