By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Ashley Poskarbiewicz and Aniyah Corbin were admiring the display of knitted goods. The tiny purse and hat made by local crafter Denise Carter would be great for their cat.
Poskarbiewicz, a third year communications student at Bowling Green State University, and Aniyah Corbin, a high school senior, were among the throng of students and community members on Main Street in downtown Bowling Green Saturday afternoon for Rally BG on Main.
Poskarbiewicz had attended the inaugural event last year, and it helped cement her love of downtown.
She loves the energy during the rally. “I like how lively everyone is.” As soon as she learned about the rally this summer she was “so excited to come down.”
A new off-campus resident, she also loves how “peaceful” downtown is on an ordinary weekday with people out walking their dogs.
Poskarbiewicz and Corbin grew up together in Temperance, Michigan, and the BGSU junior is trying to recruit Corbin to join her at BGSU.
So was Rally BG helping her to make her case? “Heck, yeah,” said Corbin. “I’ve never been to a town that’s done these kind of events. It brings the whole community together.”
Rally BG was the brainchild of Mayor Mike Aspacher and BGSU President Rodney Rogers. Last year, it brought students out as pandemic restrictions were easing.
This year, Aspacher said, they are building on the success of the inaugural event.
They publicized the rally earlier to make community members more aware of the event.
And, the mayor said, business owners reported seeing new shoppers.
Stacie Banfield, owner of Mode Elle boutique, agreed. She appreciates any event that brings people downtown and makes them aware of the shops and eateries have to offer.
She made a point of telling people it was a community as well as campus activity. That the rally coincided with the BG Fall Challenge soccer tournament also helped.
Standing outside Ben’s, longtime BG business owner Floyd Craft said he felt that last year’s event resulted in increased foot traffic throughout the year.
It’s good seeing students on Main Street other than during bar hours.
This is the first time many students come downtown, said Brian Heilmeier, the BGSU director of student engagement.
Kahari Davis, a BGSU sophomore, said the rally last year helped him discover what downtown BG has to offer. “There’s a lot of stuff to do,” he said, especially when it comes to dining. His favorite spots are Pisanello’s Pizza, Flatlands Coffee, and Qdoba’s.
Fabian Velazquez, also a BGSU sophomore, said he felt that last year’s attendance was less because people were still concerned about COVID-19.
This year the lines at the food trucks were longer, he said.
That despite adding more food trucks, one of the changes made this year, Heilmeier said. Last year, some vendors ran out of food.
“One of the huge strengths of Bowling Green State University is that we’re in this terrific college town, a great city where students have easy access to downtown and community members are just so supportive of our students,” Rogers said.
Coming downtown helps first year students feel like part of the community, he said.
That’s why, Heilmeier said, the rally is included as part of the Welcome Week activities.
That sense of belonging to the community, Rogers said, helps BGSU retain students.
“I think it’s an important part of their professional and human development,” he said. “Realizing as they adult, if you will, they grow and think about what it means to be a citizen and community member. That is part of what we try to do at BGSU.”
