Family Weekend welcomes record number of families, guests to ASU
This year, Arizona State University will welcome more than 6,000 visitors campus-wide for the 2014 Family Weekend, Oct. 17-19. The celebration of spirit, pride and tradition has never been higher, with record numbers of registrants for the signature Family Weekend events.
Family Weekend happens at the height of a bustling academic term, and is the perfect time for ASU families to reconnect with their Sun Devil, bask in the mild fall weather and – most of all – have fun.
From a Spirit Hike to the Signature Tailgate barbecue, the weekend is filled with activities designed to give families a glimpse into their Sun Devil’s experience. Family members will celebrate with their student during three days of entertainment and activities scheduled across all four campuses.
Friday night’s entertainment schedule promises to delight even the youngest members of Sun Devil families, with its Disney-theme centered around the movie “Frozen.” A few highlights of Friday’s activities on the Tempe campus, all of them free, include:
• Off-Campus and Graduate Student and Family Picnic, 4-6 p.m.: Families are invited to bring blankets to enjoy this picnic on the lawn of ASU’s Student Services Building.
• ASU Fairytale Theater’s “The Snow Queen,” 5-6 p.m.: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts students will present the Hans Christian Andersen tale that inspired Disney’s animated hit film. Face-painting and delicious treats will offer fun for all ages.
• MU After Dark presents Frozen in the Desert, 7 p.m.: This special Disney-themed event will feature games, music, treats and a showing of “Frozen” on Hayden Lawn. Expect a few surprises to make this a memorable ASU family night.
The fun continues into the weekend with many more exciting events. The Spirit Hike is one of the highlights of Saturday morning, offering a chance to take in breathtaking views, get a little exercise and experience a time-honored ASU tradition. Sparky and students from the ASU Student Alumni Association will lead the annual trek up “A” Mountain to help paint the iconic “A” gold in preparation for the game.
The Sun Devil Family Association’s Saturday morning event is the Second Cup of Coffee breakfast. Families get a chance to make new friends, learn how to stay engaged as parents and boost their student’s success with this social event. Find out more about the association's events at http://www.asuparentsassociation.com.
Families can share in Sun Devil pride and spirit during Devils on Mill, an exciting pre-game block party on Sixth Street and Mill Avenue. The event features carnival-style games and live entertainment for all ages. School spirit will be on full display at the traditional Family Weekend Tailgate barbecue and the home football game. This year, ASU will host Pac-12 rival Stanford.
On the academic side, there are opportunities to meet with faculty members and advisers through open houses and social events, along with campus tours and residential college activities. Barbecues, lawn games, lectures and open houses will take place across all four ASU locations.
More information on these events can be found at https://eoss.asu.edu/familyweekend or by downloading the free ASU Events App in the Google Play Store and the App Store for smart phones or tablets. While many of the events are free, some do require an RSVP.