Auburn Hills welcomes OU students back with College Fest

Oakland University students are invited to a welcome-back celebration on Friday, Sept. 17, hosted by the City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth. College Fest will feature free food and live music from 3:00 pm through 8:00 pm at Riverside Park, near the corner of Squirrel and Auburn Roads in downtown Auburn Hills.

“College Fest gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation for the hard-working students that make up our college community—Baker College; Central Michigan University – Auburn Hills Center; Thomas M. Cooley Law School; Oakland Community College; and Oakland University,” said Stephanie Carroll, Auburn Hills Coordinator of Community Relations and Legislative Affairs.

The outdoor event will feature the retro musical talents of "That 80’s Band," as well as free food from Stan’s Bar and Grill and The Post Bar. Beverages will be provided by Pepsi. Students who attend college in Auburn Hills will be required to show their student ID before entering the party. No alcohol is allowed.

“Many people don’t realize the wealth of continuing and advanced educational institutions located in Auburn Hills, including Oakland University, which shares its campus with Rochester Hills, or that 32,000 students pursue a higher education here. Plus, an estimated 50,000 college students live within five miles of Downtown Auburn Hills,” Carroll added. “This event aims to bring our extensive college community together as we welcome them back to school and show them the amenities that our nearby downtown has to offer, including shopping, restaurants, cafes/coffee shops, the farmers’ market and free wireless."

Signs designating parking areas will be posted near the park on the day of the event. In addition, Oakland University’s “Bear Bus” will be located on the OU campus in the parking circle between Hamlin and Vandenberg Halls to shuttle OU students to and from the event.

College Fest is sponsored by the Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA), Stan’s Bar and Grill, The Post Bar, Pepsi and Downtown Auburn Hills. For more details, visit auburnhills.org.