Illinois State University’s Family Weekend will be Friday through Sunday, Sept. 14, to Sept. 16. Coordinated by the Student Community Outreach Office of the Dean of Students Office, the weekend will include events such as a smart-phone scavenger hunt, a football game and a performance by a musical improve group.

All events are open to Illinois State students and their families. A complete schedule is available at the Family Weekend website at FamilyWeekend.IllinoisState.edu. Most events are free. For ticketed events, tickets may be purchased online or by calling Braden Box Office at (309) 438-5444.

Friday, Sept. 14

Friday night will include a free mix and mingle for families from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Circus Room of Bone Student Center, where attendees can learn answers to frequently asked questions and enjoy free hors d’oeuvres. Free games of bowling and mini-golf will also be available at the Bowling and Billiards Center, sponsored by the University Program Board.

Saturday, Sept. 15

Free workouts sessions are available at the Student Fitness Center and McCormick Hall for family members aged 18 and over. Pre-registration is required. Contact Campus Recreation at (309) 438-3700 by Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Families can get a glimpse of how their students study in Milner Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Participants get a tour of the University’s treasures found in Special Collections and a glimpse of the technology students use.

Families can watch the Illinois State Redbirds take on Eastern Illinois University at a football game at Hancock Stadium at 1 p.m. Tickets are required and can be purchased through the Illinois State University Athletics Ticket Office online or by phone at (309) 438-8000.

A smart-phone scavenger hunt will take place on Saturday. The “Reggie’s High Trek Adventure” Family Challenge will start at 3:30 p.m. in the Old main Room of the Bone Student Center. Using QR Codes, families will go on a journey across campus and into Uptown Normal. The event, sponsored and hosted by Campus Recreation, is limited to 32 families. To register, contact Campus Recreation at (309) 438-3700 by Monday, Sept. 10.

Saturday will also include a Family Weekend dinner at 5 p.m. in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center. Tickets are required and can be purchased on the Family Weekend site.

Everyone can journey to Uptown Normal to enjoy free live music at Emack and Bolio’s and make a memorable photo magnet or keychain in the nearby round-a-bout from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the location will be move to Uptown Station.

Families can catch the Big Red Marching Machine, Illinois State University’s acclaimed marching band, at 7:30 p.m. in Braden Auditorium of the Bone Student Center. Or families can enjoy the sing-a-long entertainment featuring Noel Leaman’s Cool2Duel Dueling Piano in the Prairie Room of Bine Student Center. Tickets are required for both events and can be purchased on the Family Weekend site.

All students and families are invited to see the improvisational, musical, comedy group Baby Wants Candy at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, in the Brown Ballroom. The group, sponsored by the University Program Board, creates an entire musical on the spot based solely on suggestions from the audience. The event is free. Some material may have adult content. More information can be found online.

Sunday, Sept. 16

Families can enjoy a Sunday brunch before making the trek home. Brunch will be served from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the Family Weekend site.

The Scholarship Awards Ceremony will be at 2 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom. Honorees include recipients of Bone Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, University Scholarship, Deans’ Scholarship, Community College Transfer Scholarship, Honors First-Year Scholarship, Honors Transfer Student Scholarship, Honors Study Abroad Scholarship, Watkins Scholarship and various national scholarships.