William Penn University students learned about the Oskaloosa community on the first day of classes Wednesday at a community fair and picnic lunch, held at William Penn’s new Penn Activity Center.

Students could grab a bite to eat between classes, starting at 11 a.m., and visit booths that many local businesses set up on the ground floor of the PAC.

There were 52 vendors with booths — 14 more than this past year, said William Penn Student Activities Director Chad Rodgers.

It’s “a fantastic turnout,” he said of the number of vendors and students who attended the combined event.

Many vendors and students agreed that the combined event at the PAC was a success.

“They went all out this year,” said Vicki Jones, of Bank Iowa. She was at the Bank Iowa booth to tell students about the banks’ checking accounts and to hand out free items such as plastic bags and key tags, and there was a drawing for a free table lamp.

“Bank Iowa loves this stuff,” she said of the community fair.

William Penn freshman Mayci Rule manned the College Republican booth at the community fair.

Rule said she was impressed with the PAC and the community fair.

“It’s awesome. It’s a great activity center,” she said.

Also, the College Republicans gained some new members as they handed out free items such as cups, pens and information sheets about political issues.

“We’ve registered five people so far,” Rule said during the first half hour of the event.

Mayci’s brother, William Penn senior Nik Rule, was at the Papa Murphy’s booth getting some free cookie dough.

Nik Rule said it’s good for the students to have lunch at the PAC and meet the vendors at the community fair.

“It’s been awesome,” he said. Nik Rule said the community fair has improved the past couple of years. The vendors haven been “very welcoming to the students,” he added.