Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Black Ice Comics owner Shana Porteen talks with Michigan Technological University students as they sign up for a prize drawing during Afternoon on the Town Saturday.

HOUGHTON – Michigan Technological University students got introduced to some of what the community has to offer with the annual Afternoon on the Town event Saturday.

Nearly 50 local businesses and non-profits set up booths from campus to the end of Shelden Avenue with games, prizes, food and informational displays.

It’s a great way to learn more about the town, especially after last year’s in-person event was cancelled, said third-year software engineering student Peter LaMartia.

“I think the main thing is learning more about what’s happening locally,” he said. “That’s probably the best thing that this does, bring you more in tune with your surroundings.”

Third-year computer engineering student Josh Robinson and first-year material science student Dante Kopah had gone along Lakeshore Drive to check out the buildings on the waterfront, but came up back to browse at Vinyl Truth and other spots.

“I think it’s good to show kids that aren’t just walking around downtown what’s all around here,” Kopah said.

Superior Search & Rescue board member Darian Reed spoke with students and handed out flyers by one of the organization’s trailers. After it participated in 2019’s event, the organization had signed up several members.

The signees get trained on how to operate on a search and rescue team, and come out on searches and to events such as Canal Run and Copper Dog.

“We’ve had a few people here that are interested in joining,” he said.

Black Ice Comics offered a drawing for items including a Harley Quinn statue. For owner Shana Porteen, it was a chance not just to introduce the store to new students, but to remind returning ones about the new location on Shelden Avenue.

“It’s just nice, for as many years as we’ve been doing this, how things have evolved,” she said. “This is just something I look forward to every year.”