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BEND - Before the Oregon State University-Cascades Campus opens its doors to classes for the first time, it's opening up to the community and hosting a Grand Opening Celebration.

The Sunday, Sept. 16, celebration, held on the Central Oregon Community College campus, will feature a series of family activities throughout the day and a free afternoon concert by Neal Gladstone, performing a unique blend of music, comedy and cabaret.

"This is such an exciting time for us and everyone who has been working to launch the OSU-Cascades Campus, and we want to share our enthusiasm with the community," said Jerry Colonna, president of the OSU-Cascades Campus Board of Advisors and superintendent of the Redmond Public School District. "We've planned events for the whole family during the day and really encourage people to stop by and enjoy the activities and entertainment, as well as learn more about OSU-Cascades Campus and the partner institutions that will be offering classes and degrees."

The schedule for Sunday, Sept. 16, subject to change, includes:

• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: OSU coaching clinics for boys and girls, grades 3-8. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Wrestling clinic hosted by OSU Coach Jeff Cardwell in Mazama Gym. Combined baseball and softball clinic for boys and girls, grades 3-8, will be hosted by OSU head coaches Pat Casey and Heather Smith on the athletic field. Participants should bring their own gloves and bats.

   

• 1 - 5 p.m.: Activity, information and food booths will be in the COCC Bookstore parking lot featuring the High Desert Museum, the SMILE Program, Cascades Festival of Music, Arts Central, OSU-Cascades Campus, Central Oregon Community College, Eastern Oregon University, Linfield College, Oregon Health Sciences University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University and the University of Oregon.

  Photo exhibit illustrating the history of OSU in Central Oregon will be in the COCC Library Rotunda.

  OSU Fan Fair brings its popular inflatable games to Central Oregon in the COCC Bookstore Parking Lot.

  Local music and dance will be in the COCC Bookstore Parking Lot.

   

• 2 - 2:45 p.m.: Grand opening ceremony featuring OSU President Paul Risser, COCC President Bob Barber, OSU Provost Tim White, and a special Blessing Ceremony by the Warm Springs Confederated Tribes, in the COCC Library Plaza.

   

• 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.: Neal Gladstone in concert. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy a picnic or food from the food booths, in the COCC Athletic Field.

"OSU's proposal for a branch campus in Central Oregon included a significant commitment to leverage resources from Oregon State to benefit the local community, and to initiate new opportunities and events to highlight the special cultural and artistic assets we have in the region," said Linda Johnson, associate provost for community relations and administration for OSU-Cascades Campus. "Our Grand Opening Celebration is our way of saying thank you to Central Oregon for inviting us to be part of the community and to return the hospitality."

Admission to all OSU-Cascades Campus Grand Opening Celebration events is free. Food will be available to purchase. In addition, the COCC Bookstore will be open special hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday with OSU, OSU-Cascades Campus and COCC merchandise available for purchase.

For more information call 541-312-8361 or check out the OSU-Cascades Campus Web site.