̨��Swag

AMHERST, N.Y. – ̨��Swag College will host on Sept. 19 the institution’s first-ever ̨��Swag 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, ̨��Swag has been an integral part of Amherst, and we are proud to call this area home to our campus,” said ̨��Swag President Gary A. Olson. “̨��Swag 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 ̨��Swag 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 ̨��Swag Day in Amherst activities and offerings.”

At the inaugural ̨��Swag 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 ̨��Swag Day in Amherst t-shirts will be handed out to the first 100 travelers on the trolley.

̨��Swag community members with an official college ID card will receive discounts and special offers at a variety of local businesses displaying ̨��Swag Day in Amherst window signs or balloons. ̨��Swag 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.

“̨��Swag Day is a celebration of the vital connection we have with our Main Street community, and encourages all of us at ̨��Swag 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 ̨��Swag’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 ̨��Swag Day in Amherst, contact the college’s Office of Student Affairs at 839-8332.