Family Weekend Kickoff Party Hosted by President Mantella

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with fun activities for the whole family! This event is complimentary for Lakers and their families. All refreshments and activities are free of charge. The event also features the Laker Resource Fair where representatives from a number of university departments will be present to answer your questions about campus resources.

RSVP to ensure you don’t miss out on this fun-filled event!

RSVP for the Kickoff Party

5 - 7 p.m.

Lubbers Stadium Lawn

Postcards from the Pew Library

Can’t be with your favorite people this Family Weekend? We’ve got you covered!

Students: Create a postcard to send to family members who couldn’t make it! Share a little love, laughter, or memories from campus!
Family: Craft an encouraging card to be sent to your student during exam week.

We provide the materials, the inspiration, and even the postage! Just bring your creativity and a heartfelt message.

7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Mary Idema Pew Library

Visit the Gordon Gallery

Check out the Gordon Gallery on City Campus! See the artwork of Mathias J. Alten, a Grand Rapids-based artist in Mathias J. Alten: An American Artist at the Turn of the Century and our newest exhibition Beyond the Surface: Exploring Reflections in Art. Then head towards the downtown for ArtPrize. Make sure to visit GVSU's ArtPrize stop Grand Dome .

1-5 p.m.

City Campus - Richard M. DeVos Center
Building E 401 Fulton St W E

GVSU Women's Soccer vs. Parkside

Show your Family Day football game ticket for a FREE soccer game ticket!
 

Women's Soccer Game Info

5 p.m.

Soccer fields

Subject to Change Improv Show

8 p.m.

Kirkhof Center - Thornapple Room (0058 on lower level)

ArtPrize

all day

Downtown Grand Rapids

Postcards from the Pew Library

Can’t be with your favorite people this Family Weekend? We’ve got you covered!

Students: Create a postcard to send to family members who couldn’t make it! Share a little love, laughter, or memories from campus!
Family: Craft an encouraging card to be sent to your student during exam week.

We provide the materials, the inspiration, and even the postage! Just bring your creativity and a heartfelt message.

7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Mary Idema Pew Library

Family Weekend Fun(d) Run hosted by RecWell

Join fellow Lakers for a scenic 2-mile loop around our Valley Campus to start your day! Registration is $25/person and includes an event t-shirt, race bib, and sticker. Prize packs and medals will be awarded to our Overall Top 10 finishers. Proceeds for this event support the Recreation & Wellness Program Fund.

Register for the Fun(d) Run!

9 a.m. start time

Cook Carillon Tower

Laker Open House

Laker Open House events are in-person, campus-wide events designed for future students and their families. These events provide you with the opportunity to experience Grand Valley's academic programs and campus communities. Hear from faculty, student support staff, and current students, then tour campus to experience the Laker Effect for yourself!

Register for the October 4 Laker Open House.

Check-in begins at 9 a.m.

Check-in at the Kirkhof Center

Family Weekend Brunch at the Dish

You're invited to brunch at the Dish! Brunch menu will include: spicy chicken and waffles, scrambled eggs, and smashed potatoes.

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Dish

Greenhouse Open House
Come experience the joy of the Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse!  Located on the second floor of the Kindschi Hall of Science, we are looking forward to sharing our beautiful space with you!  We will have free plants for the first 150 visitors!

10 a.m. 2 p.m.

Kindschi Hall of Science

Rainbow Crafting

Join the LGBT Resource Center for fun bracelet making, button making, origami, and more. Everyone welcome!

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

LGBT Resource Center - Kirkhof Center - (Room 1161)

Yard Games at the Laker Store

Join us for Nerf football, cornhole, giant checkers and Jenga and more! Be sure to grab your limited edition $15 Family Weekend t-shirt while you're there!

Yard games - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Store hours - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Marketplace

Renaissance Festival

10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Kirkhof Center Lawn

Student Small Business Market hosted by Campus Activities Board (CAB)

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Kindschi Colonnade (between Marketplace and Fieldhouse)

Create Your Own Accordion Book 

Check out Stories Reimagined: Artistic Narrative in the Digital Age  in the GVSU art gallery and then create your own story with us! Make and fill your own unique accordion book to take home, or make your book with us and fill it later.

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Performing Arts Center - (PAC 1121) 

Louie's Lunchbox

Grab a bite at Louie's Lunchbox food truck to fuel your day of Laker family fun! The menu that day will feature loaded mac-n-cheese bowls for $9.95. Make it a combo (bowl + canned Pepsi products/Aquafina) for $10.37. They accept meal swipes, Dining Dollars, and credit card.

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Outside of the Marketplace

Family Weekend Photo Booth with the Office of Student Life

Celebrate Family Weekend with a free photo! Stop by our free photo booth to take pictures with fun props, learn more about Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and events, and discover ways to get involved on campus. Your photo makes the perfect souvenir to remember the weekend!

Noon-2 p.m.

Kirkhof Center Lobby

Visit the Gordon Gallery

Check out the Gordon Gallery on City Campus! See the artwork of Mathias J. Alten, a Grand Rapids-based artist in Mathias J. Alten: An American Artist at the Turn of the Century and our newest exhibition Beyond the Surface: Exploring Reflections in Art. Then head towards the downtown for ArtPrize. Make sure to visit GVSU's ArtPrize stop Grand Dome .

1-5 p.m.

City Campus - Richard M. DeVos Center
Building E 401 Fulton St W E

Cook Carillon Performances

Enjoy a mix of folk music from the British isles, renaissance dances, madrigals, sea chanteys, and pub songs, performed live on GVSU's own Cook Carillon Tower. Follow the sound of the bells on October 4 — our university carillonist will be performing on the instrument live.

3-30 p.m. and 6:30-7 p.m.

Cook Carillon Tower

GVSU Lakers Football vs. Davenport - LIMITED Standing room only tickets are now available!

Purchase Family Day football game tickets

4 p.m.

Lubbers Stadium

ArtPrize

all day

Downtown Grand Rapids

Postcards from the Pew

Can’t be with your favorite people this Family Weekend? We’ve got you covered!

Students: Create a postcard to send to family members who couldn’t make it! Share a little love, laughter, or memories from campus!
Family: Craft an encouraging card to be sent to your student during exam week.

We provide the materials, the inspiration, and even the postage! Just bring your creativity and a heartfelt message.

7:30 a.m. - midnight

Mary Idema Pew Library

Renaissance Festival

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Kirkhof Lawn