Parents and families unite on campus for the 2012 Family Weekend

Family Weekend provides activities geared towards all ages, young and old/ File photo

Every year in addition to International Festival (IFest) the Office of Parent and Family Services hosts Family Weekend Friday, Sept. 28, to Sunday, Sept. 30.

“[Family Weekend] is an opportunity for parents and family members to come back and visit with their student as well as engage in activities from all across campus. Parents and family members can now experience and feel a part of the UNC Charlotte spirit. They also can really see the university from a global perspective,” the Assistant Director for Parent and Family Services Kesha Williams said.

Parents and Family Services plans the weekend around IFest so parents and students can be engage and entertained by the cultural celebration that takes over UNC Charlotte.  While there are many other events taking place over the weekend, IFest draws in the largest crowd.

IFest has been a part of UNC Charlotte for over 30 years, so with the food, dancing and more Williams feels that the event shows how the university connects with the community, locally and internationally.

The weekend will kick off with movies in the Student Union Movie Theatre and a parent reception with Chancellor Philip Dubois and his wife, Lisa, Friday at 6 p.m. on the Student Union Patio.

Shortly after the reception Niners on the Weekend will hold one of their many Student Union Takeovers that will occur over the school year.

“This is a very popular event with students. There will be a hypnotist show featuring Mike Angel, music food and giveaways and green screen photos,” Williams said.

Those interested in giving back to the community can also take part in Operation Sandwich from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday in the Student Union Rotunda.  This weekend’s goal is to package and donate over 800 sandwiches that will be donated to the Urban Ministry Center in uptown Charlotte.

There will be two shifts for Operation Sandwich with 25 volunteers per shift.  All volunteers will need to sign a consent form to participate.

While many events taking place during Family Weekend, like Operation Sandwich, have taken place in past years a new addition for this year is the Second City Sketch Comedy Act on Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union Multipurpose Room.

“Second City is a nice addition. We have never had a performance by them on this campus,” Williams said.  “Interestingly enough many of the Saturday Night Live alumni members like James Belushi started their careers with this comedic troop.”

UNC Charlotte students can attend the show free of charge but parents and family members must pay $5.  Registration for the comedy show can be done when registering for Family Weekend, and tickets can be picked up on the second floor of the Student Union in the Leadership Office.

Students and their families can register on campus on the first floor of the Student Union Friday, Sept. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Those who registered online can pick up their packets in the same locations at the same times.

Tags: family weekend, featured, ifest, office of parent and family services, UNC Charlotte, uncc

Category: Campus, News, Niner Times