By Emily LaCroix

Get ready to shuffle down Shrewsbury Street! The College Shuffle is coming Saturday, Sept. 14.

The College Shuffle is the college version of the popular Taste of Shrewsbury Street event, for which many restaurants throw open their doors to offer up samples of their most popular menu items. However, the college event offers more fun and entertainment.

The College Shuffle focuses on students of local colleges, and the dining hot spot transforms into a busy street fair for the day. The event is getting an upgrade for 2013, according to sponsor Paul Giorgio, publisher of Pulse. “This year, we are expanding the concept to make it more like College Fest in Boston, with local exhibitors and vendors. And, of course, tons of delicious food. More than 25 local restaurants will offer free samples to those with College Shuffle buttons.

The College Shuffle lets students try more than just food. Patrons will have the opportunity to discover local bands and artists who will be performing throughout the event and pick up CDs of those they love. Tents will be set up along the street, where vendors will show off their unique items ~ and maybe even hand out some freebies. The event is perfect for one of the first weekends back at college because students can scout out fun decorations for dorms and cool new back-to-school clothing at the vendor tents.

Shrewsbury Street will become a hub for students for the day, and you won’t want to miss out. Giorgio suggested coming early for the noon-3 p.m. event to take advantage of all it has to offer. There will be contests, drawings, games and plenty of other activities for students to enjoy.

Giorgio said this year’s event will be better than ever, “It will be bigger, with more food, more fun and more activities.”

Food, music, shopping and freebies for just 15 bucks? Now that’s fun on a budget. Welcome back to school, Worcester students!

The College Shuffle will be an exclusively college-based event. It is open to college students, faculty and their families. Participation buttons will be available at each of the colleges for $15 and at Brew City Grill and Brew House at 104 Shrewsbury St. and the Flying Rhino Café at 278 Shrewsbury St. the day of the event. Many colleges will offer free shuttle service from campuses to The College Shuffle. Jet Blue is a presenting sponsor of the event. For more information on vendors, visit thecollegeshuffle.com.