We’re back at school, but that doesn’t mean that summer has to end. Louis’ will be selling brews in the Bowl Sept. 6 & 7.

The thirst for beer will compete with the thirst for knowledge as the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union throws down its two-day Welcome Week afternoon party in the Bowl.

Starting at 11 a.m. on Sept. 6 and 7, the event includes live music, information tables, giveaways and beer gardens.

USSU Vice President Operations and Finance Steven Heidel sees Welcome Week as the best way to greet students after the summer break.

“It’s our showcase event to students and allows us to promote the numerous services we provide,” Heidel said. “Welcome Week allows us the opportunity to reach as many students as possible in a short period of time, while providing live entertainment and a fun atmosphere.”

For returning students, like second-year Marnie Howlett, the beer gardens are something to look forward to and are necessary to help “kick off the school year.”

While the popularity of the beer gardens is one way for Louis’ to pull in some extra profit, the primary reason the campus pub is such a big part of Welcome Week is for the students, Jason Kovitch, the Louis’ food and beverage manager, said.

“We want to put something on that makes a splash on campus, that welcomes students back.”

Kovitch sees Welcome Week and the beer gardens as a nice way to introduce new students to Louis’ and to hopefully be able to see them back at the pub, which will be unveiling some changes to their menu when school starts.

In addition , there will be free live music through both days.

As tradition dictates, the events of Sept. 7 will conclude with a double-feature screening of “Back to the Future” and “The Lion King” at the carless drive-in in the Bowl starting at 8 p.m.. Students are encouraged to bring their own seating and snacks.

The USSU executive will be, talking to students and hopefully recruiting for council and student at large positions, Vice President of Student Affairs Alex Werenka said.

“We will definitely be interacting with students and trying to get people involved.”

The executive will be handing out USSU student planners. The planners, or survival calendars, are perennially a hot commodity on campus due to the pages of coupons at the back.

When asked what students can look forward to during Welcome Week, Werenka said that the orientation address from President Busch-Vishniac on Sept. 4 will be the highlight.

“I am so excited for students to have the chance to see her speak, because if you see her speak, you will be so impressed with her. She’s very well spoken and really cool.”

Das Racist will conclude Welcome Week at Louis’ Sept. 8, but the festivities will continue at the USSU’s House Party, which launches the first dollar draft of the year Sept. 11.

Live Entertainment:

Thursday Sept. 6, 2012

• 11:00 – 1:00 Charly Hustle
• 1:15 – 2:00 Chapter Thrive
• 2:15 – 3:00 Young Benjamins
• 3:15 – 4:00 Chad Reynolds
• 4:15 – 5:00 Cal Hourd
• 5:15 – 6:00 Misterfire

Friday Sept. 7, 2012

• 11:00 – 1:00 Dr. J
• 1:15 – 2:00 Ravewind
• 2:15 – 3:00 Jeans Boots
• 3:15 – 4:00 We Were Lovers
• 4:15 – 5:00 Powder Blue
• 5:15 – 6:00 Gunner and Smith

Clubs and Services that will be at the Info Booth

• USSU Executive
• USSU Centres – Help, Pride, Safewalk and Women’s Centre
• Campus Recreation
• Alumni Association
• The Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence
• Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
• Campus Safety
• Amnesty International
• AIESEC – Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales
• Ore Gangue Students’ SocietyDebate Society
• Student Binge Drinking Prevention Initiative
• U of S Drama Students’ Association

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf