Ellie Stewart | Collegio Reporter

This week marks the beginning of the seventh annual Paint the Town Red event, hosted by the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. The event is designed to show community support for PSU in anticipation of the first home football game.
“It gives the local community a chance to show support for the university,” said Devin Gorman, marketing and communications director for the Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s so awesome to drive around town and see all the businesses decorated in crimson, gold and split faces. The community really cares for the university and it’s a great way to show our support.”
This year, two new awards for decorating, one for community favorite and another for residential, have been added to the competition. Voting for these awards will be available here until Sept. 7.
Local Pittsburg elementary schools are also participating in Paint the
Town Red.
“The theme this year is ‘In the Jungle,’” said Andy Gottlob, principal of George Nettles Elementary. “The whole building has a jungle theme with all kinds of decorations. The students love it and it connects them with PSU. We tried to have as many students wear Pitt State shirts or red shirts just to show our support.”
Judging for the school decorating competition started Wednesday, Sept. 5. The awards include a grand-prize winner, most creative use of theme and most creative outdoor decorations. The winning school also receives the traveling stuffed Gorilla.
Another event held during Paint the Town Red is a 5K fun run at the Kansas Technology Center on Sept. 8.
“I will be participating in the 5K since I’ve been running every day since I started college. I run a 5K every morning,” said Jake Yankovich, freshman in business. “It’s kind of something to wake up to, and it gets everybody out in the community involved, too.”
Many students view Paint the Town Red as a week of anticipation leading up to the first home football game. They feel it adds excitement to the game day atmosphere.
“After winning the National Championship last year, it’s going to get a lot crazier,” said Morgan Pena, sophomore in psychology. “I think a lot of freshmen came here because of football.”
The week of preparation has many students pumped for the game on Saturday.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Casey Steinmiller, freshman in commercial graphics. “I’ll wear red. It’s my first game as a student, so I’ll be more into the game because the student section gets crazy.”
There are some students who say they aren’t into Paint the Town Red.
“I’m going to go to the game and wear Pitt State stuff,” said Lexi Scott, freshman in biology. “But I’m not going to go crazy and paint my body or anything.”
Caitlin Weaver, social media and marketing coordinator for Ron’s Supermarket, says the supermarket will participate in Paint the Town Red. She says they will be smoking ribs in the parking lot, have balloons in the store and they will have a two-day sale as well.
“We are a community grocery store and we like to do anything to support the community,” Weaver said. “Obviously the college is a big part of the community and we want to support them and all of their programs.”
Other events will include the Gorilla Grillmaster Barbecue on Sept. 8, a community pep rally in the Gorilla Village on Sept. 6, and Meet and Greet the Gorillas on Sept. 7.