Family Weekend Welcomes Families to Campus for a Variety of Events

Bucknell University's annual Family Weekend returns Thursday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 20, offering families and students opportunities to experience the University through a variety of activities featuring the arts, athletics, innovation and community events. Organizers expect 3,700 family members to attend.

Thursday Evening Highlights
Family Weekend opens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with bassist and composer Endea Owens and The Cookout performing at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. The Detroit-raised musician has performed with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste and Diana Ross and was a member of Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Bucknell students can attend for free, and all others are able to purchase tickets virtually through the Campus Box Office.

Friday Highlights
Friday afternoon highlights Bucknell’s work in innovation and data science. Starting at 4 p.m., families can visit the Dominguez Center for Data Science in Taylor Hall to explore student projects involving data and artificial intelligence and meet student researchers. The Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation will host an informational session in Taylor Hall starting at 4 p.m., followed by the grand opening of the App MakerSpace beginning at 4:30 p.m., with students and faculty showcasing opportunities to turn ideas into applications.

The evening features several Family Weekend traditions. The Harvest Dinner takes place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. under the Sojka Lawn tent, while Bucknell field hockey faces American at 5 p.m. at Holmes Stadium. At 5:30 p.m., the Banty Rooster will host its annual wine tasting in the corn maze with live music, food trucks and refreshments continuing through the evening.

The Department of Theatre & Dance closes out Friday with its first-year showcase at 7:30 p.m. in Tustin Studio Theatre. This year's production, 8 Minutes Left by e.b. lee and directed by Austin Alvarez '28, follows the residents of Charlesville, N.J., as they confront the final eight minutes before the world ends. There will also be shows Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday Highlights
Saturday begins with Bucknell men's water polo facing Fordham at 10 a.m. in Kinney Natatorium. The popular Bingo Brunch follows from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. under the Sojka Lawn tent, offering families a brunch buffet, classic bingo and Bucknell spirit.

We Brake for Nobody, a live improv comedy performance, will have two shows during the day starting at noon and 7:30 p.m. respectively in the Elaine Langone Center Forum (Room 272). The show features Bucknell student performers and invites audiences to experience an unpredictable night of comedy and creativity.

At 1 p.m., Bison women's soccer will host Lehigh, while Christy's A Cappella Concert takes place at the Weis Center at the same time, showcasing Bucknell's vocal ensembles.

Families can also join the Spirit Trail at 1:30 p.m. starting from Dent Drive and Freas Lawn for Bucknell-themed activities and giveaways.

Men's water polo returns to Kinney Natatorium at 2:30 p.m. against Salem, while Bucknell football hosts Penn at 3 p.m. at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium.

Saturday evening continues with Feria Latina, hosted by the Latine Alliance for Community and Opportunity for Students, at 6 p.m. on campus. The annual event features traditional food, live music, dancing and games celebrating Latin American culture.

Bucknell men's soccer will host Colgate at 7 p.m.

Community International Festival Returns
 

Bucknell families enjoy the International Festival, which brings Bucknellians and the Lewisburg community together to celebrate the rich variety of cultures that are part of the Susquehanna Valley. Photo by Gordon R. Wenzel

One of the weekend's signature events, the Community International Festival, returns for its third year from noon to 4 p.m. at Hufnagle Park in downtown Lewisburg. The festival will feature global food vendors, live music and performances, offering an opportunity to experience the rich variety of cultures represented throughout the Susquehanna Valley.

Bucknell's international community will join Lewisburg neighbors for an afternoon of food, music, cultural celebration and connection. The event is open to the community and welcomes families, students and visitors throughout the afternoon.

Sunday Highlights
Sunday begins with Bucknell men's water polo facing Wagner at 11 a.m. in Kinney Natatorium. It will also host LIU at 4:30 p.m. that day.

At 2 p.m., Trio Bohémo will perform at the Weis Center. The internationally acclaimed chamber ensemble features Jan Vojtek on piano, Matouš Pěruška on violin and Kristina Vocetková on cello. The program, which serves as an artistic climax to the weekend's events, includes works by Franz Schubert, Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana. Tickets must be purchased in advance virtually through the Campus Box Office.