Events and Activities

Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend is a chance to experience some of the best of what �Ը�� University has to offer. Various campus partners host a variety of events that are included in the registration fee. The schedule will be updated throughout the registration period as more details are added.

We do our very best to accommodate as many families as possible, but we are limited by venue capacities and safety regulations. Please read the schedule carefully and note any events that require a separate purchase beyond the registration fee or state a capacity limit.

Friday, Sept. 25

Early Check-in | Pepsi Leadership Lounge, Second Floor �Ը�� Student Center | 3 - 8 p.m.

During check-in, guests will receive event lanyards and t-shirts if ordered. The Annual Black Squirrel Festival will also be held during this time for guests to mix and mingle with other families and partake in the fun activities.

University Housing Dessert and Door Decs! | Eastway Fireside Lounge | 3 - 5 p.m.

Meet and engage with University Housing staff from various residence halls. During this event, families will have the opportunity to connect with professional staff, learn more about their student's residence hall community, create a door decoration together, and enjoy a sweet treat of ice cream while building connections with other families and staff.

44th Annual Black Squirrel Festival | Student Green and Risman Plaza | 4 - 7 p.m.

A �Ը�� tradition for 44 years, the Black Squirrel Festival brings more than 3,000 attendees to the Student Green and Risman Plaza each year. Hosted by the Flash Activities Board, the event features over 400 student organizations and local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with the Kent community.

Design and Innovation Hub Make and Take | DI HUB 1st floor (Room 150) | TBA

Design Innovation welcomes parents, families, guests and students to the DI HUB to participate in make-and-take activities in the Reactor. Join us for t-shirt and mug printing, vinyl cutting stickers, 3D printing keychains and laser-cutting magnets. Learn more about the initiative and available tools and technologies in �Ը��’s largest makerspace! This event is limited to the first 100 guests. Parents & Families Appreciation Weekend badge required for entry.

Education Abroad 101 | Bowman Hall | 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Students and their families interested in learning more about studying abroad at �Ը�� University are invited to attend Education Abroad 101. This session provides an overview of program options, costs, planning considerations, and the steps required to begin the study abroad process.

Parents and Families Paint Night | 306 Kent Student Center | 7 - 9 p.m. | *$40.00 per person

A fun and creative opportunity awaits as participants design and paint their own custom doormat. With guided instruction and plenty of room for personalization, this experience offers a memorable keepsake to take home. Pre-registration is required, and guests of all ages are welcome. Open to the first 150 guests.

Flashes Neon Bingo | Ballroom, 2nd Floor, Student Center | 8 - 9 p.m.

Lights, prizes, BINGO! Join fellow �Ը�� families for an unforgettable evening of Neon Bingo featuring great music, glowing fun, and chances to win fantastic prizes. Whether participants are seasoned bingo players or first-timers, everyone is welcome to join the excitement. All prizes must be received by a �Ը�� student. A Parents & Families Appreciation Weekend badge is required for entry. Open to the first 300 guests.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Late Check-in | Eastway Lounge | 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Late Check-in will take place in the Eastway Hall Lounge. After check-in, guests can join in on the breakfast fun!

Breakfast Tailgate | Eastway | 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Parents & Families Appreciation Weekend badge required for entry

Start game day the �Ը�� way! Join fellow Golden Flashes families for a festive Breakfast Tailgate. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, connect with other families, show off your �Ը�� spirit, and get energized before cheering on the Flashes or enjoying the weekend. It's the perfect opportunity to make memories, celebrate your student, and kick off an exciting day on campus.

Aeronautics & Engineering Expo | at the KSU Airport | 4020 Kent Rd, Stow | 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.

This family-friendly event at the �Ը�� University Airport features hands-on STEM activities, historic aircraft displays, hourly facility tours, and a midday flyover by a 16-plane T-34 formation. Admission is $10 per family/car and registration is required. Families may drive to the airport or take the complimentary shuttle.

Highlights also include:

Flight Experiences: airplane rides ranging from $65 (1 person) to $125 (3 people) and flight simulators for $20 per 15 minutes.

Exhibits: Featuring displays of vintage aircraft, robotics exhibitions, drone flying demonstrations, and a special appearance by a robot dog.

Tours: Guided, hourly tours of the FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center and the airport.

�Ը�� University Museum | 515 Hilltop Drive Kent | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The �Ը�� University Museum is a hidden gem where students and families can explore fashion, culture, and creativity through a world-class collection spanning more than 250 years. As part of America’s 250th anniversary, visitors can experience Quilts and Coverlets: Art for the American Home, featuring the rare Keckley quilt attributed to Elizabeth Keckley, dressmaker to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, alongside the student-curated exhibition Chintz: From Forbidden Fabric to Luxury Interiors.

Great Game Campus Scavenger Hunt | Various Campus Locations| 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Embark on an exciting campus adventure that combines puzzles, challenges, and teamwork. Participants will work together to solve clues, uncover hidden secrets, and navigate various locations across campus. This interactive experience offers a fun way to explore �Ը��, connect with family members, and learn more about life as a Golden Flash.

College of Sciences and Humanities

Information coming soon!

�Ը�� University vs. Ball State | Dix Stadium | Time TBA

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to cheer on the Golden Flashes as they take on the Cardinals from Ball State University. The game start time will be announced soon! Families registered for the weekend can purchase tickets for a discounted price of $15. Student tickets are free of charge. Giveaway: 1,000 Jersey Coolers.

Wear your Parents and Families Weekend t-shirt to the game or find game-day wear in the athletic stores located in the MACC or Dix Stadium.

May 4 Visitors Center | Reflections Gallery, 147 Taylor Hall | 1 - 5 p.m.

The Visitors Center, located in Taylor Hall, contains a permanent exhibition of the student anti-war movement, historic artifacts, and film about the events of May 4, 1970 featuring interviews with some of the participants and students who were wounded on that day.

Outside the May 4 Visitors Center, guests may take a self-guided tour of the 18-acre site, recently designated as a National Historic Landmark. The experience is powerful and immersive while providing context and multiple perspectives on the May 4 tragedy.

Parents and Families Paint Night | 306 Kent Student Center | 1 - 3 p.m. | *$40.00 per person

A fun and creative opportunity awaits as participants design and paint their own custom doormat. With guided instruction and plenty of room for personalization, this experience offers a memorable keepsake to take home. Pre-registration is required (embed link to a la carte page), and guests of all ages are welcome. Open to the first 150 guests.

The Big Flash Event | 218 Kent Student Center | 6 - 8 p.m.

An immersive evening filled with creativity, discovery, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences for Golden Flashes and their families.

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