Visitors to Oswego State this weekend will be able to choose from a large assortment of activities and events, ranging from sports to theatre, at the annual Friends & Family Weekend.
The weekend of Oct. 19 through Oct. 21 will feature many of the clubs, ensembles and sports teams here at Oswego State, but visiting entertainers and artists are also expected to be highlights.
Friends and Family weekend has been an Oswego State tradition for over 25 years, according to Marketing & Communications Coordinator Kelly Perkins.
“The purpose of Friends & Family weekend is to invite students and family on campus, to welcome them to the community,” said Perkins. “Once enrolled, it’s not just the students, but the family is part of the community too.”
Visitors should stop by the Campus Center welcome desk to pick up their registration materials from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday. The opportunity to check-in will also be available on Saturday anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Events on Friday begin at 11:30 a.m. as Art for After Hours is coming to campus to display its unique 3D chalk art at the main entrance to Campus Center. Their art will be on display until dark on Friday and will return on Saturday morning to be displayed another day.
Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Tyler Art Gallery which will be open and free to the public from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday. Stick around until 5 p.m. to see Chilean artist Mariana Najmanovich at her opening reception. While in Tyler, tickets can be purchased to the theatre department’s production of “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” which will be showing Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
For those that would like to catch a movie on Friday, they can bring their bathing suits over to the Lee Hall pool to see “The Lorax.” At the Campus Center Auditorium, “Hunger Games” will be playing at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Hilby the Skinny German Juggling Boy will be performing in Swetman gym. His act includes juggling, comedy, and various stunts. Artist Larry Moss will be returning to Oswego and creating a balloon sculpture in Campus Center near Swetman Gym with the theme of “Mad Scientist.” At 3 p.m., visitors are invited to take pictures of the finished sculpture. This will be followed up by the mini Carnival in Swetman Gym at 1:30 p.m. which will feature crafts, games, painting, coloring and a bouncy castle.
One of the highlights of the weekend will be the men’s ice hockey game against the USA Under-18 National team at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center Ice Arena on Saturday. For the first time ever, there will also be a tailgate party in Campus Center preceding the game. It has already sold out to 150 people. After the game there will be an open skate from 10 p.m. until midnight.
At 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Hewitt Union ballroom, Oswego State’s own glee club, Vocal Effect, will be performing. This event is free and open to the public.
Before leaving for the weekend, visitors can see the Music Department concert on Sunday at noon in the Hewitt Union ballroom. The concert will feature performances by the College Choir, State Singers, College Orchestra, Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble.
Perkins said that Friends & Family Weekend endeavors to show families how the students are living and what they are doing academically.
“We’d like to showcase what we have to offer and welcome family to participate in the same activities,” Perkins said.
