An expo-type fair will attempt to bring the community and campus together today.

The 2001 Merchant’s Fair is sponsored by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, the Student Union and Mainstreet Bowling Green and will be held today in Olscamp Hall from 11 a.m to 4 p.m.

The fair will feature numerous retailers and volunteer organizations of the city of Bowling Green. Students will be able to receive free food, valuable coupons, as well as register for several prize drawings.

“It is a way to invite the students to the community,” said Jen Ruhe, director of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses such as Marco’s Pizza, Meijer, Staples Office Supply and Panera Bread Company will be present to give students a sample of what the community has to offer. Banks will also be there to help students open accounts.

“Our experience has been that they are excited about the University population sampling their goods,” Ruhe said.

According to Ruhe, Bowling Green merchants understand students are important to their businesses. Many merchants come year after year.

In the past the fair has been “positive for the community,” said Staples employee Mike Sureli. He is “very encouraged” that this opportunity exists to bring the campus and community together. Staples will push some of its lesser known features at this year’s fair, such as its copy center.

The fair is also a “nice way to introduce ourselves to freshmen,” said Marco’s Pizza employee Suzzie Lightfoot.

In addition, organizations seeking volunteers, such as The Children’s Resource Center, will give students a glimpse of how they can personally become involved within the community of Bowling Green.