Over 2,000 individuals to attend Family and Friends Weekend at the University of Maine
Family and Friends Weekend is an annual celebration that brings thousands of family members to the University of Maine campus. For the first time in eight years, this annual event will be taking place during the same weekend as Homecoming, on Oct. 13-15.
Families of all sizes, dynamics, and class years are welcome. Students and their families, faculty and staff, alumni and members of the extended Black Bear community are invited to a variety of events that honor UMaine’s past and present. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see and experience the latest research, technology and facilities available at UMaine.
Over 2,000 individuals have already registered for Family and Friends Weekend. A full list of activities associated with this event can be found on the university’s Family and Friends Weekend website.
Here are a few of the highlights:
Friday, October 13:
- 3-6 p.m.: Maine Bound Zipline. This activity will take place on the Challenge Course, next to New Balance Student Recreation Center.
- 6-7 p.m.: Paint and Sip. This paid add-on event is occurring at the North Pod on the second floor of the Memorial Union.
- 6:30-7:45 p.m.: Bonfire on the Mall. The UMaine community will light up the night and show their Black Bear spirit.
- 8-10 p.m.: Motor Booty Affair in Concert. This musical performance will take place outdoors, near the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization (IMRC) Center. The event is free for all registered guests and students. The cost is $5 at the door for all others.
Saturday, October 14:
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Family and Friends Street Fair on the Mall. Student groups, local businesses, national businesses and the Orono/Old Town community all gather on the university Mall for this annual street fair. In addition to student activities, attendees can shop at booths from local small businesses, as they enjoy cuisine from area food trucks. Live music from student performers is being made possible by the campus radio station, WMEB-FM 91.9.
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Partial Solar Eclipse. On Saturday, a solar eclipse will cross the United States. In Maine, we will only see between 20-25% of the sun as it is obscured by the Moon. The eclipse will start at 12:26 p.m. and end at 2:27 p.m. Visitors are invited to see the partial eclipse from our Clark Telescope starting at 11:30 a.m. The planetarium has solar eclipse glasses available in its gift shop for $2 each, which will provide a safe way to observe the sun during an eclipse.
- 8 -10 p.m.: Hypnotist Eric Mina will be performing in the Collins Center for the Arts. This hypnotic exhibition is free for registered guests and students. The cost is $5 at the door for all others.
Contact: Eric B. Gordon, eric.b.gordon@maine.edu.