Events will be held across campus over the next few days for students and their families, allowing them to immerse themselves in the Wildcat culture and lifestyle.
Lauren Maxwell, executive director of Family Weekend, said she didn’t just want to have events where families only sat and watched something.
“We’re really focusing our energy on people having an experience,” Maxwell said. “we try and make [the events] interactive.”
She said families are flying in from all over the country, and the interactive activities are fun and enjoyable.
Maxwell said she expects a lot of people to attend an event this year that was one of the most popular events last year: Casino Night. During Casino Night, the whole family can gamble with no stakes with the chance to win prizes, such as a Rich Rodriguez-autographed football.
Casino Night will feature dueling pianos where two players switch off between playing with each other and playing against one another, according to Maxwell.
The first ever Family Weekend 5K will take place on the UA Mall Sunday from 7-10 a.m.
Maxwell said she really hopes families sign up and pay the $10 each for the 5K—the ticket price is waived for children 6 and under—to raise awareness and money for the Diamond Children’s Hospital.
Even though families can register on-site at the registration tent on the UA Mall, there is no guarantee that families will still be able to purchase tickets or attend all events.
The Ice Cream Social with President Ann Weaver Hart and other VIP’s and staff is already sold out, according to Maxwell.
Maxwell said one of the events that is always popular and most common is the football game. This year’s kick-off against Oregon State is Saturday at 1 p.m.
Julian MacKenzie, an engineering freshman, said his parents are coming from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and are excited to go the football game.
MacKenzie said the game is one of the only events they really want to attend, but he’s excited to see his parents since he hasn’t seen them since school started.
He said families coming to Family Weekend will be able to spend quality time together, rather than just lying in the hotel room watching TV, because they’re coming on a weekend full of events.
Maxwell said around $60,000 has been spent in planning all of Family Weekend and its events for families. This is including the cost of food at events like the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Tailgate and Ice Cream Social.
Maxwell said different programs, organizations, sororities, fraternities, clubs, departments like athletics, colleges and groups on campus are offering many different activities and events for their affiliated students.
According to the Family Weekend website, “There is an event for all families and we are so happy to have you all join us on this weekend and really see what being a Wildcat is all about.”
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