September 08, 2008

Saluki Family Weekend set for Sept. 26-28

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Saluki Family Weekend at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great opportunity for students and their families to enjoy time together along with great food and fun activities.

The popular annual event, which kicks off Sept. 26, features music, dancing, movies, a craft sale, games, campus tours and boat rides. And that’s just a taste of what’s on tap. One lucky family will even get to be the Family of the Year, winning a package that includes lodging, apparel and other prizes. Oh, and of course, there’s exciting Saluki football as the guys in maroon take on the Panthers from the University of Northern Iowa at McAndrew Stadium. And what would a football game be without a tailgate? You need not find out as the festivities also include the Saluki Family Tailgate.

Here’s a peek at the Saluki Family Weekend lineup:

Friday, Sept. 26

• Family recreation time, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Family members of students are welcome to tour and use the Student Recreation Center at no cost when accompanied by a current SIUC student with ID. Check in at the welcome desk on the lower level for details.

• Family weekend craft sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., first floor of Student Center. Peruse the selection of handmade candles, ceramics and other crafts and artistry from the region’s vendors.

• Free boat rides at boat docks on campus lake, noon until 6 p.m., offering free boat rentals for paddle boats, canoes and rowboats, weather permitting, when a current SIUC student with a valid ID accompanies family members.

• “Get Smart,” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. The amusing adventures of secret agent Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 come to the big screen and tickets are $2 for SIUC students and children age 10 and under or $3 for the general public. Get tickets at the door.

• Noche de Gala, also known as ‘salsa night,” 8-11 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the evening of salsa dancing and music. Admission is free and attire is semi-formal for the popular event returning for the seventh year.

Saturday, Sept. 27

• Family recreation time, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Family members can tour and use the Student Recreation Center free when accompanied by a current SIUC student with ID. Stop by the welcome desk on the lower level.

• Family weekend registration area open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at east entrance of Student Center for families to sign in, register for door prizes, get the latest events schedule and enjoy free refreshments.

• Saluki Family Association brunch, 10 a.m.-noon, Ballroom B at Student Center. Saluki Family Association members and those interested in joining will enjoy a southern brunch hosted by the association. Tickets in advance are $12 for adults, $11 for SIUC students and those age 60 and older or $6 for children ages 5-10, with kids ages 4 and under eating free. At the door, tickets are $1 higher.

• Campus tours, departing hourly, on the hour, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. from the east entrance of the Student Center. The guided 45-minute tours are free on a first-come basis.

• Craft Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., first floor of Student Center. Area vendors offer a wide assortment of crafts, souvenirs and gifts made in the region.

• Raku pottery firing, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Student Center south patio. Stop by the Craft Shop and glaze a ceramic piece and then watch as it’s fired Raku-style. The cost is $3 per item.

• Saluki Family Tailgate, 3 p.m., on Saluki Row south of McAndrew Stadium. It’s a grand tailgate with art projects, Aztec Latino dancing, games, inflatable bouncing gym fun and refreshments as long as they last courtesy of Carbondale Mainstreet, Carbondale Community Arts and Saluki Pride Committee. For more information, call Carbondale Mainstreet at 618/529-8040 or look online at http://www.carbondalemainstreet.com/. You’re welcome to bring your grill and enjoy pre-game tailgating on the lots surrounding the stadium too from 3 to 6 p.m. Restaurants at the Student Center are open for business too.

• 72nd Annual Inter-Greek Council Greek sing, 1-2:30 p.m. on the steps of Shryock Auditorium. Enjoy your favorite music during the spirited competition featuring the University’s fraternities and sororities. In case of rain, it’ll move inside at the Student Center.

• Residence hall dining, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., at Lentz and Trueblood Dining Halls. It’s a chance for families to experience University Housing’s dining hall with an all-you-can-eat meal served for $7.99 plus tax per person. Tickets are at the entrance of each hall.

• Boat rides, noon-6 p.m. at the boat dock on campus lake. Free paddleboat, canoe and rowboat rental as weather permits for family members if accompanied by a current SIUC student with student ID.

• Saluki football, 6 p.m. at McAndrew Stadium, the Salukis battle Northern Iowa in Missouri Valley Football Conference action. Reserved seating and general admission tickets are $19 for adults and $8 those high school age and younger. SIUC students can buy reserved seat tickets for $8 or enjoy free general admission tickets with their ID. Ticketmaster offers tickets as well.

• Family movie, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Student Programming Council Films Committee presents “Get Smart” at the Student Center Auditorium. Tickets, at the door, are $2 for SIUC students and children age 10 and younger and $3 for the general public.

Sunday, Sept. 28

• Recreation time, 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m., free tours and use of Student Recreation Center for family members when accompanied by SIUC student presenting ID at information desk on second floor.

• Autumn harvest brunch, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Student Center Ballrooms. Tickets for the popular brunch, if purchased in advance, are $12 for adults, $11 for SIUC students and those age 60 and older, $7 for children ages 5-10 and free for age 4 and younger. At the door, ticket prices are $1 more.

To purchase advance tickets for Saluki football, the Saluki Family Association brunch or the autumn harvest brunch, visit the Student Center Central Ticket Office on the second floor or call 618/453-3478.

Visitors can also find special promotions, sales and prices at other locations on campus including the Bowling and Billiards and at the University Bookstore within the Student Center. For more information about Saluki Family Weekend 2008, contact the University Programming office at 618/453-2721 or look online at www.siucstudentcenter.org/salukifamilyweekend.