On Sept. 21, Associates Students Inc. (ASI) put on their fourth annual Warriors Explore Downtown event, where Stan State students, faculty, and alumni as well as the Turlock community were invited to explore local business and interact together in Downtown Turlock.  
The event was held at Central Park, which was filled with a variety of interactive booths, freebies and activities. Free tote bags were given out by the campus Printmaking Club, and the Housing & Residential Life Office offered a “no-sew pillow making activity” perfect for those who want to add some comfort to their dorm rooms or to just study more comfortably. 
“It’s a great opportunity to have the university and the community come together,” said Maryann Aydenian, Housing Programs Coordinator. “It’s good for community members to see what’s going on [at Stan State], as well as the students to come downtown and see what we have to offer in Turlock.”  
ASI gave out free $5 food vouchers and provided a raffle tour guide to attendees, encouraging them to visit local participating businesses in the area. 
Local businesses, like boutique Bella Forte Shabby Addy, who participated in the event noticed the sense of community that Warriors Take Downtown created.
”It’s nice seeing all of the students come in and visit and everybody is really friendly, lots of good conversation,” said Jenifer Mendes, an associate of Bella Forte Shabby Addy. “I even noticed some people are meeting each other that go to school together but don’t know each other.” 
Mendes remarked that the event created positive publicity for small businesses and “more awareness, because a lot of people didn’t know we were here. And they comment on that over and over again as they walk in.” 
“Visiting all the restaurants is pretty cool,” said Andrea Luceron (Senior, Criminal Justice).
Luceron said the free food vouchers were “beneficial…I really like that it gives you a chance to see what restaurants accept that.” 
The City of Turlock provided free transportation to the event. Students were also given chances to win prizes such as a 40″ smart TV, $100 Costco card, $100 gas card, Alumni raffle prize, pair of Disneyland tickets, pair of Justin Timberlake concert tickets, and a pair of Kevin Hart Comedy Show tickets through the raffle.