This Saturday will be third year of Experience Rexburg, an event designed to bring together students from BYU-Idaho and the local community.
College students anywhere can sometimes feel disconnected from the towns that host their stay, as they spend the majority of their time on campus. Experience Rexburg is hoping to bridge that gap.
“It’s a way for the community to come together, both the university and the locals,” said Jackie Rawlins, the cultural arts director for the City of Rexburg.
The Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of Rexburg and BYU-Idaho work together to put on the event. Rawlins said it is also an opportunity for local businesses to connect with students who often aren’t aware of who they are or what they products or services the businesses offer.
Vendors from many businesses around the area will set up shop down 2nd South from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Many of those vendors offer free stuff, prizes and games to anyone interested.
At 3 p.m., a free potato bar catered by the university will be open next to the BYU-Idaho Stadium to the first 500 people in line.
A new event this year is a community flag football game, which will be held inside the stadium from 4 - 6 p.m. That is open to community members and students. Rawlins said many people are excited for that new event this year.
Rawlins said “It’s a way to kick off the semester, let the students know about what’s going on in town and let them become a part of the community.”
Experience Rexburg is also hold a concert featuring two bands at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday outside the Eliza R. Snow building. Opening will be the Carolina Reapers, followed by the Optometrists who opened at the Eastern Idaho State Fair earlier this summer.
All the events are free to enter, though vendors will be selling food and other items.
“It’s really a great way to come and sample what Rexburg has to offer in one place,” Rawlins said. “It’s just another way to say welcome, and that’s just what we’re trying to do.”