C.B. & Potts shark circles CSU Homecoming to kick off ‘Shark Week’

Note to Reporters: High-resolution photos are available at http://col.st/L1h4g.

A host of festivities have been planned over the next 10 days to celebrate the successful auction — and subsequent return — of the C.B. & Potts shark.

The iconic 15-foot shark that hung from the ceiling of Potts’ former Campus West location was auctioned off this spring to raise money for CSU’s Fermentation Science and Technology Program. Kiki and Drew Anderson, CSU alumni who had a weekly date night at Potts while in college, paid the winning bid of $4,000 in hopes of giving it to Kiki’s sister Cammy MacMillan, who collects oversized objects. When the Andersons realized it would be too problematic to transport the shark to MacMillan’s Los Angeles home, they decided to donate it back to Potts, where it will hang at the new Foothills Mall restaurant.

Kicking off a “Shark Week” celebration at that location, on Friday the retired movie prop will appear on a CSU Homecoming Parade float, where its handlers will be chumming with candy and Potts coupons.

Then, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Potts and CSU will celebrate the arrival of the shark at the Foothills location. Attendees will toast with free tasters of “End of the Food Chain Stout,” a commemorative beer honoring the shark that was crafted by teaching assistants for CSU Professor Jack Avens’ brewing science class and Potts brewers Joe Bowden and Jeff Eaton. Students and faculty from CSU’s Fermentation Science and Technology Program will be on hand to answer questions about the beer, the program and the partnership.

Potts is inviting people to share their favorite Potts memory on Facebook for a chance to win a VIP package that includes riding on the shark parade float Friday as well as a “shark selfie session” and VIP seating at the restaurant party Saturday.

In support of CSU’s Cans Around the Oval food drive and the “End of the Food Chain” theme, patrons attending the Saturday party are asked to bring canned goods that will be donated to the Food Bank for Larimer County. Potts will donate 10 percent of its sales during the three-hour event to the food bank.

The ensuing “Shark Week” at Potts will feature free tasters of the stout twice a day, a shark-themed photo booth and decorations.

The Fermentation Science and Technology Program is in CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences