Family Weekend 2012

Friday, October 5 – Sunday, October 7

WHAT IS FAMILY WEEKEND?
Family Weekend is a time for you to feel a part of your student’s college experience at Northern Michigan University.  The schedule of events includes a variety of activities for your family to enjoy and it also allows for informal time with your son or daughter.

Family Weekend guests can utilize the PEIF Recreation Center free of charge on Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6.  Individuals can check-in at the front desk for access. 

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO PARTICIPATE IN FAMILY WEEKEND?
• Contact a local motel of your choice if you require overnight accommodations (www.marquettecountry.org) or call the Marquette Country Convention & Visitors Bureau (906-228-7749).  Note:  This should be done as soon as possible!
• Check back here periodically for updates to this year's schedule.

FAMILY WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2011

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

Family Weekend Kick-Off – 2-5 p.m., University Center Atrium

We will have updated Family Weekend Schedules of Events, information on local attractions, and a limited number of additional tickets for Family Weekend activities will be available for purchase.  The NMU Bookstore will be having a special sale for Family Weekend.  Refreshments will be served.      

U.P. Fish Fry & Entertainment! – 4-8 p.m., The Marketplace

Join us for an evening of good food and enjoyable music as NMU’s Dining Services features a traditional Upper Peninsula all-you-care-to-eat fish fry (two different fried fish, one baked fish, steak-cut french fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, beverages, and dessert).  Meal tickets are $9.25 and can be purchased at the door; if your son or daughter has a meal plan, he/she has the option to use guest meals.  Music will be provided by Jim & Ray (many of you will already be familiar with Jim & Ray through the Summer Orientation picnics). 

Volleyball:  NMU vs. Ohio Dominican – 7 p.m., Vandament Arena

Join us for exciting Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) volleyball.  General admission tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for 18 and under.  Children 6 and under and NMU students are admitted free of charge.  Volleyball tickets can be purchased through the NMU Ticket Office.

Performance:  The Norman Magic Experience College Campus Show – 7:30 p.m., Jamrich Hall Room 102
Norman Ng, named 2011's "Best Live Novelty Performer" by Campus Activities Magazine, brings an exciting fusion of magic, comedy, and audience participation to NMU.  The show features never-before-seen magic, laugh-out-loud comedic situations, and the best part...it stars you, the audience!  Admission is free. 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

Tailgate Party – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Vandament Arena (PEIF)

Join us for a Family Weekend tradition!  A tailgate party featuring traditional picnic fare will be served, there will be door prizes, an appearance by the Wildcat Marching Band, and comments from President Les Wong.  Tickets for the Tailgate Party are $7, and free for children 12 and under and NMU students who are participating in Family Weekend (be sure to include your NMU student and children in your ticket order when purchasing tickets.)  Tickets for the Tailgate Party must be purchased in advance and are available through the NMU Ticket Office.  The Tailgate Party is co-sponsored by the NMU Foundation. 

Football:  NMU vs. Grand Valley – 1 p.m., Superior Dome

Watch the football Wildcats in action vs. the Grand Valley State Lakers in a GLIAC clash.  General admission tickets are priced at $9 for adults and $5 for 18 and under, and can be purchased through the NMU Ticket Office.  NMU students are admitted free of charge.

Volleyball:  NMU vs. Tiffin – 4 p.m., Vandament Arena

Join us for exciting GLIAC volleyball.  Admission is free with a ticket stub from the NMU vs. Grand Valley football game, or $7 for adults, $5 for 18 and under.  Children 6 and under and NMU students are admitted free of charge.  Volleyball tickets can be purchased through the NMU Ticket Office. 

The Buried Life – 7:30 p.m., Great Lakes Rooms (University Center)
Not many people can say they've shot hoops with President Barack Obama, been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, and asked Taylor Swift out on a date.  But the cast of  MTV's The Buried Life have done all three of those things and more! The Buried Life began with a simple question:  "What do you want to do before you die?"  Out of it grew an inspirational TV show and a grassroots movement that has allowed viewers to live vicariously through four friends as they put themselves in the most incredible and unexpected situations while traveling the country trying to complete a list of "100 things they want to do before they die."  For every item they cross off their list, they help a perfect stranger accomplish one of their dreams.  They aim to inspire others to create their own lists, and continue to work on their own.  Admission is $1 for NMU students, $3 for non-students; tickets can be purchased through the NMU Ticket Office.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9

Family Weekend Brunch – 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Marketplace

NMU Dining Services and the Culinary Students of Northern Michigan University will be teaming up to provide a delicious brunch featuring a french toast bar, breakfast bake, scrambled eggs, carved ham and turkey, bacon, sausage links, home-style potatoes, frittata, oatmeal bar, assorted pastries/muffins/bagels, cereal, and beverages.  Cost is $9.25, and tickets can be purchased at the door; if your son or daughter has a meal plan, he/she has the option to use guest meals.