Badger pride will be out in full force this summer, as Brock extends its renowned student and campus experience to several Niagara-area events.

The list of local festivities the University is sponsoring continues to grow, with red-shirted volunteers set to drum up excitement across the region throughout the summer.

“One of Brock’s many strengths is community engagement, which happens on multiple levels throughout the University and in the community,” said Gord Hunchak, Associate Vice-President, External Relations. “We excel in engaging with the community in experiential learning opportunities, co-op placements, research projects, academic partnerships and youth camps, to name just a few examples. By extending our involvement into major events throughout the region, our bond with the community as “Niagara’s University” is further strengthened.”

Over the past few months, Brock was present at several local events, including In the Soil Arts Festival, Niagara VegFest, the Rankin Cancer Run and the CSSRA Regatta. The University also welcomed the public to tour its arts facilities as part of Doors Open Ontario.

Coming up this weekend, Brock is a gold-level sponsor at the popular Pelham Summerfest, which runs from July 13-16 in downtown Fonthill.

During the event’s Saturday Street Festival on Pelham Street, Boomer will be mingling with the crowd and Brock ambassadors will be handing out fun summer-themed swag.

The University, in partnership with Brock Sports, is sponsoring the event’s Teen Zone at Marlene Stewart Streit Park Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., bringing in sports equipment — and fidget spinners — and introducing visitors to ultimate frisbee.

Also this weekend, Brock is sponsoring Happening at the Forty — a Grimsby street festival that runs from July 13 to 15.

Later this month, the University is expanding its community efforts beyond Niagara, sponsoring Hamilton Fringe Festival — and its Youth Access passes — from July 20-30.

The passes are printed and distributed to local schools and community groups in the Hamilton area, giving youths aged 18 and under access to free tickets to Fringe shows.

The event, which takes place in downtown Hamilton, features more than 300 performances, including musicals, dance, comedies, magic shows, dramas and family entertainment.

Representatives from Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts will be at the festival’s kick-off event on July 19 at the Lincoln Alexander Centre.

The month will conclude with a splash as Brock does its part to support Welland Floatfest, which will have participants set sail on their inflatables in the recreational canal.

The University is the official volunteer sponsor for the July 30 event, where an attempt will be made to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest line of water inflatables.

Brock ambassadors will also be on scene through a partnership with Student Life and Community Experience.

All of these events, and many others, form a lead-up to Brock’s biggest community event of the year, Homecoming weekend Sept. 15-17, where everyone is invited to join Brock students, alumni, faculty and staff in celebrating the start of another academic year.

“The Brock experience is like no other, and participating in these events allows us to bring the Brock experience out to the community,” Hunchak said.

The University will also be participating in a series of community events throughout August. Check back on The Brock News before the end of July for a full listing.