September 06, 2018
Comic Con, tailgating, movies and more on tap for SIU’s 2018 Family Weekend
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Comic Con, campus tours, movies indoors and out, a craft sale, Greek Sing, recreational activities, and of course, tailgating, football and much more will be happening on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus during Family Weekend, Sept. 28-30.
The three-day celebration will “Celebrate Our Incredible Saluki Family” with fun activities and opportunities to make great memories.
Many things to do
A wide variety of activities are on tap for family weekend, designed to appeal to all ages and interests. Most are free.
Highlights of the weekend include:
- Free use of Student Recreation Center facilities by families when accompanied by a student all weekend long, including the climbing wall, fitness classes and open swim.
- A big craft sale on the first floor of the Student Center Friday and Saturday.
- Campus tram tours, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, departing every 30 minutes from the main entrance of the Student Center. Take advantage of a great photo opportunity with the Big Red Chair while you wait.
- Free outdoor showing of “Incredibles 2” at Saluki Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday and indoors at the Student Center Auditorium at 6 p.m. Saturday.
- 83rd annual Inter-Greek Council Sing at 11 a.m. Saturday on the steps of Shryock Auditorium – one of the oldest campus traditions and a great show filled with song and dance.
- Saluki Family Tailgate, 3-5:45 p.m. on Saturday in Saluki Row near the stadium. Families are welcome to enjoy a complimentary meal. A free Kid Zone, filled with fun activities, will be located nearby.
- Football, 6 p.m. Saturday. See the Salukis take on the South Dakota Coyotes in gridiron action in Saluki Stadium.
- Family Weekend Brunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday at Lentz Dining Hall. Get your tickets at the door and enjoy a meal, Saluki-style. Pricing details and options are online.
- Additional activities and specials at the Student Center’s Craft Shop, Bowling and Billiards and University Bookstore.
The stars are out for Saluki Comic Con 2018
The Saluki Comic Con, in its second year, runs all weekend long and features a wide array of special guests, vendors and artists along with a costume contest, games and tournaments. A few of the many star guests are:
- Brian Colin, an SIU alumnus who with Jeff Nauman co-founded “Game Refuge.”
- Zac Atkinson, comic creator/cartoonist/designer who worked on numerous popular comics including “Bruce Lee the Dragon Rises,” “Teen Titans Go,” “Star Trek,” and more.
- Todd Black, published author and comic writer, with 28 comics and three novels, including “Guardians,” to his credit.
- Sean Dulaney, writer/artist/editor/broadcaster whose work includes”51 Delta,” editing the revived “Fantastic Adventures,” and leading an annual radio show recreation during the Superman celebration each year in Metropolis.
- Bruno Gunn, who starred as Brutus in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and as Walrus on HBO’s “Westworld.”
- Alison MacInnis, who played Dana Mitchell, the Pink Lightspeed Ranger on the television “Power Rangers” series and reprised her role twice in other productions. She’s also appeared in various other television series and is an award-winning screenwriter.
- Brennan Mejia, an actor from such productions as “Kaboom,” “Power Rangers Dino Charge,” and “Skate God.”
- Samantha Newark, known the world over for her voice-overs as “Jem” and “Jerrica” on the classic cartoon “Jem and the Holograms.” She was also a guest star on “Transformers” and other productions, including the voice of Peter Pan’s mother in Steven Spielberg’s “Hook.”
- Trevor Von Eeden, who became both the youngest artist ever hired and the first black artist for DC comics. He was co-creator of the first original black super-hero to have his own title and has worked on various other well-known comics.
You could win Family of the Weekend honors
Now is the time to enter to become the 2018 Family of the Weekend. Simply complete an online questionnaire and quick quiz and you could be honored during the festivities.
The winning family receives a prize package that includes box seats for the football game, Saluki family apparel, tickets to all of the weekend’s events and a weekend stay at the Hampton Inn.
The Petraski family, (business management major Sarah and her parents Ken and Maureen) of Plainfield, earned the honor in 2017.
The deadline to enter this year’s competition is 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 20.
Buy early to save
Purchase tickets at discount prices for the football game and Saluki Comic Con and pre-order Family Weekend and Comic Con T-shirts online through 9 a.m. on Sept. 21.
Check it all out online
Find the complete schedule of events and additional details online.