It’s been happening since the 1920s, so there’s probably a good reason why Family Weekend is still a yearly tradition at the University of Arizona.

This weekend, ASUA is joining forces with many other organizations and departments across campus. Together, they have collaborated to present all kinds of programs and events for Wildcats and their parents. On Friday and Saturday alone, the Family Weekend schedule offers more than 30 different activities.

But why is this event so important? Although Family Weekend occurs over only two days in October, staff members work year round, planning everything from logistics to customer service and how to receive parents.

Karen Flores, this year’s director for Family Weekend, explained that the way Family Weekend unites students, parents, faculty and the departments makes it one of the most important events that the university has to offer.

“”(Our goal is) to create an enriching experience that will bring students and families together,”” Flores said. “”When the student goes to college, they’re on their own … but I want students to feel like they can still experience parts of their home life at school. It’ll make them feel more at home here.””

Not only is Family Weekend a big part of student and parent life, but it also opens up the University of Arizona to the community.

“”Family Weekend is important to bring the cultural aspects of the UA to the masses,”” said Lindsay Baille, the associate director of Customer Service for Family Weekend.

The events that the school offers over these two days show the many assets that the university has to offer.

“”Not only are we a top (Pacific 10 Conference) school, but we also have academics, we also have culture, we have diversity in our community as well,”” Baille said.

For this reason, the people in charge of Family Weekend want to ensure that anyone who is interested is able to attend. So this year, Flores notes that the program has added two new price packages. One option costs only $20, and the other is $30.

And people have taken advantage of this deal. So far, over 3,000 people have registered to participate in Family Weekend, and Flores anticipates that even more will soon be added to the list.

In addition to all the fun activities, programs and events, Family Weekend is also important because it takes this opportunity to celebrate the school experience. Likewise, the event recognizes the many ways by which the UA has helped people become successful in their lives.

“”We’re having a lot of speakers come to talk about their experiences — and how those experiences helped them grow as a person and achieve their goals in life,”” Baille said.

Family Weekend has something to offer everyone — and maybe that’s why it has survived so long. “”We work really hard to make it the best experience (possible), so it’s going to be really exciting,”” Flores said.

She encourages everyone to come. With plenty of energy and unity among students, their families and people all across the school, it’s a tradition everyone can share.