From a live 80’s cover band to a BBQ bash with UA President Ann Weaver Hart, Family Weekend has it all. Parents and siblings are traveling from around the country to visit their students, and the UA has planned a long list of events to keep everyone busy and entertained.
Friday BBQ Bash
At 8:00 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Arizona State Museum, President Hart will kick off the Bear Down BBQ Bash with a speech. The UA Family Weekend website said this is the “can’t miss” event of the weekend.
“Hart will be there to welcome families to the university,” said Kathy Adams Riester, associate dean of students and director of the Parents and Family Association. “She will also talk about the rich history behind Family Weekend.”
Riester said several members of the Parents and Family Association Board will also speak. The event will include free food, prize giveaways and, more importantly, a chance for parents to meet the university administration and faculty. Wilbur and Wilma and the UA marching band will also be attending.
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Ice Cream Social
The Scoop is hosting a Ice Cream Social at the Student Union Memorial Center on Friday at 4:00 p.m., according to Courtney Olds, a computer science junior and ASUA Family Weekend executive director. Members of the Parents and Family Programs will be there to recognize the BC Harley Scholarship recipient and present the Family of the Year Award and the Parents & Family Association Volunteer of the Year Award.
Game Time
The largest event of the weekend will be when the Wildcat football team faces off against USC, Saturday mid-day. Fans will start tailgating at 8:00 a.m. before the 12:30 p.m. kickoff in Arizona Stadium where the 2-4 Wildcats will face the 3-3 Trojans. Arizona is still looking for its first Pac-12 Conference win and hopes to find it on Saturday.
There are less than 1000 seats left for the game, according to the Athletic Department, and Tickets range from $29-$278.
Vendor Fair
The vendor fair, held on the Mall, Friday between 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is designed to inform parents about things happening at the university and what services are available for their students, such as SafeRide, the University of Arizona Police Department and ASUA. Many clubs and university centers will also have information booths.
Concerts
Nora Browning, Associate Students of the University Arizona events concerts director, said there will be a live ‘80s cover band Saturday morning. The local Tucson classic rock band named “‘80s and Gentlemen” will perform on the mall during the tailgate before Saturday’s football game.
The concert starts at 8:00 a.m. and is free for everyone.
Olds said right across the street from Friday evening’s BBQ Bash, renowned singer songwriter Chaka Khan will be performing at Centennial Hall. Commonly referred to as Chaka, the Grammy award-winning artist is known for her electric stage performance and ability to sing multiple genres.
Tickets for Chaka Khan range from $25-$100 depending on seating. The event starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be bought at ticketmaster.com
Movie Time
According to Olds, there will be multiple opportunities for families with small kids who may not go to parties or other events. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, several movies, including “Hocus Pocus” and “Nightmare Before Christmas” will be playing in the Gallagher Theatre. Friday night at 9:00 p.m., The Loft Cinema will be giving away free popcorn and hosting a free movie night at the Highland Bowl featuring “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
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