North El Paso Avenue in Russellville will be a sea of green and gold on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 25.
The inaugural Arkansas Tech University March to Main will provide an opportunity for ATU students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university to walk side-by-side with members of the Russellville community in a demonstration of the mutually beneficial relationship between the two entities.
Festivities will begin on campus with a 5 p.m. pre-march ceremony at Centennial Plaza, which is located on the west side of Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field. The 0.7 mile walk to Russellville Downtown will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Among those leading the march will be Randy Horton, Russellville mayor; Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president; the ATU marching band, Arkansas’ Band of Distinction; members of the ATU spirit squads, including the Tech cheerleading squad and the Golden Girls dance team; and Jerry the Bulldog, ATU campus ambassador.
The march will end at Depot Park, where participants will enjoy a chicken cookout made possible by Tyson Foods and become part of the audience for the Music Downtown at Sundown event featuring Jamie Lou and the Hullabalo and Morgan Road.
“The support that Arkansas Tech University has received from the City of Russellville dates back to the very beginning of our institution in 1909,” said Bowen. “Russellville resident Judge R.B. Wilson brokered a deal that provided free lights and water to the school for its first three years of existence. It was an offer that assured that the Second District Agricultural School would be located in Russellville. As our institution has evolved to become Arkansas Tech University, the level of support shown by Russellville to our students has continued to increase. March to Main is an opportunity to celebrate the partnership between ATU and Russellville and look forward to our growth and development as a college town.”
