Saluki Family Weekend begins Friday

Saluki families are ready for fun with the annual Saluki Family Weekend set for Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at SIUC.

Family members can enjoy scores of events, from dining to dancing to campus tours and an opportunity to see the Saluki football team take the field, among many others. Other highlights include the Family Fun Festival, the Greek Sing and the Family of the Weekend Contest. 

Families can purchase tickets for various events at the central ticket office on the second floor of the Student Center, or by calling 618/453-3478. 

For more information view the schedule or call the University Programming Office at 618/453-2721.

A schedule of events and opportunities follows. All events and times are subject to change:

Friday, Sept. 29

• Student Recreation Center hours, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Families accompanied by a student with a current SIUC ID card can use the facilities for free.
• Half-price bowling and billiards, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Student Center
• Family Weekend Craft Sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Student Center
• Boat Docks, noon to 6 p.m., Campus Lake. Families accompanied by a student with a current SIUC ID card can use the canoes and paddleboats for free.
• Celebrate the Strip, 5 to 10 p.m., downtown Carbondale
• SPC Film: "Cars," 7 to 9:30 p.m., Student Center
• Salsa Night "Noche de Gala", doors open at 7 p.m., music 8 to 11 p.m., Student Center. A semi-formal dance set to Latin rhythms. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, Sept. 30

• Student Recreation Center hours, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Families accompanied by a student with a current SIUC ID card can use the facilities for free.
• Registration Tent & Welcome Activities, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Student Center
• Saluki Family Association Breakfast, 9 a.m., Student Center. Learn about the association during a delicious buffet and welcome program. Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for SIUC students and seniors 60 and older and $6.50 for children 10 and younger. Tickets at the door are $11.50, $10.50 and $7.50, respectively. Children 5 and younger are free.
• Half-price bowling and billiards, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Student Center
• Campus tours, one-hour tours beginning at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., Student Center
• Craft sale, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Student Center
• Family Fun Festival, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., International Lounge, Student Center. Pictures with Saluki mascots, prizes and giveaways, free refreshments and much more.
• Raku pottery firing, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Student Center. Glaze and fire a pre-formed cup, $3 each.
• Residence hall dining, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lentz and Trueblood halls
• Boat Docks, noon to 6 p.m., Campus Lake. Families accompanied by a student with a current SIUC ID card can use the canoes and paddleboats for free.
• Annual Inter-Greek Council Sing, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Shryock Auditorium
• Pre-game tailgate activities, 3 to 6 p.m., McAndrew Stadium
• SPC Film: "Cars," show times are 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Student Center
• Saluki dinner buffet, 4 to 6 p.m., Ballroom D, Student Center. Advance tickets are $11 for adults, $10 for SIUC students and seniors, 60 and older and $7 for children 10 and under. Tickets at the door are $12, $11 and $8, respectively. Children 5 and younger are free.
• Saluki football, 6 p.m., McAndrew Stadium. The Salukis take on Gateway Conference rival Indiana State. Reserved tickets are $17 for adults, $8 for SIUC students and high school-aged students and younger. General admission tickets are free for SIUC students with student identification, $17 for adults and $8 for high school-aged students and younger.

Sunday, Oct. 1

• Student Recreation Center hours, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Student Recreation Center
• Autumn Harvest Brunch, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Student Center. Advance tickets are $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for SIUC students and seniors 60 and older and $7 for children 10 and younger. Tickets at the door are $12.50, $11.50 and $8, respectively. Children 5 and younger are free.

- Tim Crosby