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AMHERST, N.Y. – 51�Թ��� College will host on Sept. 19 the institution’s first-ever 51�Թ��� Day in Amherst, an exciting new annual celebration designed to engage the college community with Main Street’s vibrant business community and to showcase all there is to offer near campus.

“For nearly 70 years, 51�Թ��� has been an integral part of Amherst, and we are proud to call this area home to our campus,” said 51�Թ��� President Gary A. Olson. “51�Թ��� Day in Amherst is meant to familiarize our faculty, staff, and students with the many businesses and services along Main Street, from Getzville Road to Evans Street and beyond.”

Throughout the day, the college will operate a trolley from the campus up and down Main Street, enabling all college constituents to shop, enjoy good food, hear live music, and visit the various establishments that they might not have visited in a long time.

“We anticipate 51�Թ��� Day in Amherst will become an annual event for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Olson. “We look forward to partnering with our surrounding community to expand the slate of future 51�Թ��� Day in Amherst activities and offerings.”

At the inaugural 51�Թ��� Day in Amherst celebration, trolley rides will be available from noon to 8 p.m. to transport students, faculty, and staff to visit more than 30 participating businesses on Main Street in Amherst and back to campus. Specially designed 51�Թ��� Day in Amherst t-shirts will be handed out to the first 100 travelers on the trolley.

51�Թ��� community members with an official college ID card will receive discounts and special offers at a variety of local businesses displaying 51�Թ��� Day in Amherst window signs or balloons. 51�Թ��� visitors will be eligible for a gift basket raffle at Sweet Jenny’s. Live music will also be presented outside Glen Park Tavern and the Irishman.

“51�Թ��� Day is a celebration of the vital connection we have with our Main Street community, and encourages all of us at 51�Թ��� to explore and support a thriving business environment right down the road from campus,” said Dr. Greg Nayor, vice president for student affairs.

The daylong festival will wrap up with the showing of an outdoor movie, “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” at 8:30 p.m. on 51�Թ���’s front lawn. Free popcorn, lemonade and iced tea will be served. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the evening viewing.

For more information on 51�Թ��� Day in Amherst, contact the college’s Office of Student Affairs at 839-8332.