It seems as if the first month of classes went by in the blink of an eye — the air is beginning to cool and Family Weekend is already upon us. Most students are excited to get a small taste of home, especially the first-years, many of whom have not been away from family for this long before and may still be adjusting to college life. 

In a small town like Lewisburg, students may wonder, “Where should we go out to eat? What other activities can we do?” Additionally, parents and family members may be wondering these same questions after gaining more insight as to what their child’s life is like at the University and in Lewisburg.

Fortunately, in addition to offering its normal array of fun on-campus activities, the University offers a plethora of specialized events that contribute to making Family Weekend so special. From watching a cappella groups perform in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts to canoeing on the Susquehanna, the University’s Family Weekend has it all.

Academics

On Friday, Sept. 27, the University will host various academic open houses where parents and family members can get a peek at the University’s academic and student life. Here, parents and family members can mingle with professors and students to learn more about the academic culture at the University.

Lewisburg Eats

 Family Weekend will offer a variety of quality dining options, especially for those looking for a good meal on campus. 

Following a day full of academic events and speakers, the University will host “Dinner in the Tent,” a southern BBQ dinner, on Friday, Sept. 27 next to the Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium. This barbecue will be the perfect social setting to mingle with fellow University families while enjoying a good meal and the nice weather.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the University will host a family breakfast in the Elaine Langone Center, in addition to a tailgate lunch — featuring a variety of salads, sandwiches and pastas — and a family party on Saturday night, both next to the Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium. Costs for these events can be found online at the University’s Family Weekend registration page.

 If you and your family want to get off campus, Lewisburg also has plenty of good restaurants. For breakfast, the go-to-spots in Lewisburg are the Amami Kitchen, Gram’s Eatery, and All Star Bagels — all restaurants located on or minutes away from Market Street. Additionally, Ard’s Farm, a farm-to-table restaurant only a few miles away, is a local favorite. Their menu contains various items for all taste buds, including everything from a grilled ham and cheese sandwich to fall duck to a pulled pork quesadilla. Matty’s Sporthouse Grill is also a great dinner spot, as it has a good menu of bar food and seating compatible to entertain big groups. On the other hand, there is Elizabeth’s American Bistro on Market Street, better for more intimate gatherings. If you are looking for pizza or Italian cuisine, try Tonino’s, Pizza Phi, or La Casa de Pizza. For Asian cuisine or sushi, try making a reservation at Sushihanna or Fuji Steakhouse.

With so many on and off-campus dining events and restaurants, families are bound to have a fun meal together, and afterwards there are plenty of other activities to explore at or near the University.

Looking for Time Outdoors? 

Acknowledging that our campus is located in rural Central Pennsylvania, the University is offering lots of fun activities that take advantage of the beautiful outdoors. 

On Saturday, Sept. 28 the Outdoor Education and Leadership (OEL) organization is running a canoe and kayaking trip on the Susquehanna River. This event is a fun off-campus activity that allows families to explore the surrounding area. It will be offered from 8-10 a.m., 1-4 p.m., and 5-8 p.m. Preregistration is required.

Also on Saturday, OEL is hosting the Dale’s Ridge two-mile hike, beginning at the Linn Conservancy in Lewisburg. This hike requires no experience and is a great opportunity to get outside. Participants should meet at the Elaine Langone Center at 12:45 p.m.

Paint Bucknell Pink, the annual family weekend run to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research, and Relay for Life will be on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance to Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium.

Performing Arts

If you are interested in the performing arts, there are plenty of events held on campus during Family Weekend. 

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, the Theatre and Dance Departments will present the First-Year Show. Directed by upperclassmen, this show allows the audience to see the students’ hard work and amazing performances after a four-week rehearsal process. Following this event, the Theatre and Dance Departments are hosting their open house reception in the Tustin Studio Theatre.

Christy’s A Capella Concert, another historically highly-attended event, will be offered on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 1:15-3:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts and will feature four of the University’s extremely talented a cappella groups: the Offbeats, the Silhouettes, Two Past Midnight and Beyond Unison.

Silhouettes member Anna DeNelsky ’22 is anticipating the Family Weekend event. “We have been preparing since we got back to school and are extremely excited to perform for our families and friends,” DeNelsky said. “This is definitely one of my favorite parts of Family Weekend!”

Sporting Events

 If any of the above exciting events are not of interest to you, the University also has several athletic events occurring on campus over Family Weekend. 

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the University’s women’s soccer team is playing Boston University on Holmes Stadium’s Emmitt Field at 1:00 p.m.

Shortly after, the University’s football team is playing Princeton University at 3:30 p.m. at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. Jared Cooper ’22, a running back on the team, says he is expecting a good crowd to support the Bison over Family Weekend. “I am feeling confident and excited to have a chance to play against a good team,” Cooper said. Tickets can be purchased online until noon on game day or at the stadium before the game.

Also on Saturday, the Bison women’s volleyball team has a match against Lehigh University in the Davis Gym at 4:00 p.m. and another match on Sunday, Sept. 29 against Lafayette at 2 p.m.

While it would be impossible to make it to every single event occurring over Family Weekend, attending just a few will help enrich your experience. This upcoming weekend creates opportunities for parents to become immersed in the students’ academic and personal lives, allowing them to get a glimpse into their child’s new home.