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Family Weekend, a three-day event that brings together University affiliates and supporters, kicks off on Friday.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications
September 30, 2008

A massive Wildcat reunion kicks off a The University of Arizona on Friday.

Family Weekend, a UA tradition that began about 80 years ago, brings together families, students, alumni and University supporters for a three-day gathering.

An estimated 3,500 people are expected to visit campus for the event, said Rachel Field, student chair for Family Weekend. A registration booth will be on the UA Mall in front of the Chemistry Building for those who have yet to register, but would like to attend the Family Weekend events.

"It's really about getting the UA families on campus and it's a chance to give them a really good time," said Field, a communication senior. "We want to give them a feel of what it's like being on campus and to show our school spirit."

In a letter that UA President Robert N. Shelton sent to UA families, he wrote: “Family Weekend is completely new and designed with nothing but family in mind. We have revamped this long-treasured event in order to make it the best we can for everyone that comes to visit us.”

Shelton also noted that the purpose behind Family Weekend is to “provide an opportunity for the UA to bring our families from home to our family at the UA,” adding that the “new format has been created in order to showcase what our campus has to offer not only for students, but also to you, the families.”

Events begin Friday at 8 a.m. with open classes for families of UA Wildcats and with a kickoff fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the UA Mall.

“It’s a pretty well-rounded set of events,” said Peter Pereira, senior coordinator and advisor of the Associated Students of the UA, which organizes the event.

Numerous other events will be held on Friday, including campus tours, a silent auction, a leadership institute for children, film screenings and an art exhibit as well as a reception for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students and their families.

“We’re trying to kick the auction off to be a big fundraising event,” said Kathy Adams Riester, assistant dean of students and director of the UA Parents and Family Association.

The fundraiser, which will be held on Friday during a luncheon, will benefit the association's programs. Riester said funds also will support the association's grant program, which benefits various projects by organizations, departments and units on campus.

"We help support services for students that students and parents say are importnat," Adams Riester said, adding that the association has provided funding for safety and financial aid initiatives. This year, the association awarded nearly $130,000 in grants.

Also on Friday and at 4:30 p.m., the UA BookStores and the UA Parents and Family Association will co-host “Read Like a Faculty Member.” Everyone is invited to meet with some of the University’s deans and faculty members who have had books published.

Bear Down Friday will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on East University Boulevard at Main Gate Square.

And new addition this year is the Wildcat World Fair, a multicultural celebration organized by numerous clubs and organizations. The fair, which will include carnival rides, food and performances, will be held 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the UA Mall.

“Wildcat World Fair is about giving parents and students exposure,” Pereira said. “We thought this would be a great way to highlight the diversity at the UA.”

Also on Friday, the UA's biochemistry and molecular biophysics department is holding its sixth annual barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. north of the Life Sciences South Building, 1007 E. Lowell St. The Tucson Magnet High School's steel drum band will perform during the first part of the event, which typically draws hundreds of people and is open to the public.

Family Weekend will continue on Saturday with a ZonaZoo tailgate party from 1 to 4 p.m. A barbeque will follow the Wildcats game against Washington, which begins at 4:30 p.m.

Also, the Phoenix Mars Science Operations Center will hold one-hour tours on Saturday.

Another new addition is the Kids Leadership Institute, a new program headed up by the UA’s Center for Student Involvement and Leadership.

The institute, which will be held on Friday, targets children ages 8 to 12 and teaches them leadership skills. The institute will be held 2 to 6 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center. Registration is required to attend, and parents concurrently enroll in the Family Leadership Institute.

“We are trying to really highlight events that cater to different groups,” Pereira said. The weekend’s event comes to a close on Sunday with Jim Click’s Run ‘N’ Roll at 7 a.m. and with a send-off brunch at 10 a.m.

Overall, Family Weekend is a chance to share what the UA is all about while also expanding the Wildcat family, Pereira said.

“This is also about bringing children to the UA so they can also get a glimpse of what it is like at the UA,” he said.