College Night

College Night is an event that is designed to welcome new and returning college students while connecting them with businesses here in our community. Organized by our Downtown Promotions Committee, any business – especially businesses located downtown – are welcome to participate in this event by opening their store for the event or setting up a booth to interact with students. At the event, students are given a bingo card that they take to each business participant to get it stamped. Once they have filled out the entire bingo card, they return it to the Chamber booth for a chance to win a prize at the end of the night. Not only is this a fun night for the students, it also encourages them to shop at our local businesses.

Our 2021 College Night was held on August 26th, and we had over 165 college students participate! We saw college students from several local schools: Bethel College, Hesston College, Hutch Community College, Tabor College, and more.

The next College Night will take place in August 2022, so stay tuned!

How you can participate:

  • As a part of this event, businesses are invited to donate some “college essential” items to go into goodie bags that are given to the students. Items can include anything from ramen noodles and instant coffee to planners or gift cards. So, if you or your business is interested in contributing items to the goodie bags, let us know!
  • You are also invited to participate in the event itself and be a part of College Night Bingo by opening your store/setting up a booth downtown! The cost is $30. You can bring a table and hand out whatever goodies you would like! We also encourage you to have fun and creative games at your booth to interact with students.
  • Don’t want to stay up that late? Support the event while you sleep as an event sponsor! Funds help create 100 “College Night Swag Bags” or go to prizes that are given to students. Sponsors will receive recognition at the event, and special recognition in event promotions. The cost to sponsor is $150.

To participate in any of these capacities, contact Dyan Roberson at dyan@newtonchamberks.org.