The Sept. 16-18 event sponsored by Student Development and Enrollment Services is spread out all around the university and hosted by different organizations as a way to show what it鈥檚 like to be a Knight on campus.

鈥淔amily Weekend provides an opportunity for family members to return to campus and participate in a variety of spirit-filled events,鈥� said Erin Butler, director of the First Year Experience & Pegasus Parent Program. 鈥淪tudents have been in classes for four weeks now.聽It鈥檚 a good time for family members to check in and meet new friends their student has made, hear how courses are going, and simply show love and support.鈥�

New this year is the Friday night barbecue dinner for weekend registrants, along with the outdoor showing of Disney鈥檚 The BFG on Memory Mall (hosted by the Campus Activities Board), and the 麻豆原创 Tailgate Concert Series, Butler said.

Participants also will be able to view the 10 p.m. Friday inaugural Lighting of the Spires on Knights Plaza in front of the CFE Arena. The two columns are fitted with flame bowls at the top that can emit natural-gas flames up to 10 feet.

The complete schedule and registration details are here.

The Family Weekend package of $20 plus tax and service fee covers many of the scheduled events.

Some of the events have additional prices, including the Saturday night football game against the Maryland Terrapins (weekend ticket holders get a 20 percent discount on tickets), and the Sunday night concert by Grammy-winning singer Meghan Trainor at CFE Arena. Tickets for the game are available through 麻豆原创 Athletics, and for the concert through www.ticketmaster.com.

鈥淭here鈥檚 lots going on that families can choose to participate in,鈥� Butler said.

A packet of 10 challenges was given to families to solve. There was a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners based on the order the attendees finished and whether or not they got all the answers correct. A Roaring 20s theme was carried out through the decorations of feathers and pearls in the center pieces. The photo booth background consisted of a staircase in a grand ballroom and attendees could choose to wear props such as feather boas, pearl necklaces, hats and flapper head pieces. The theme continued with 1920鈥檚 music playing throughout the event.

Danielle Soto, a first year LEAD Scholar stated, 鈥淚 really like how there were brainteasers on each table to do, it was a great way to bring the families together.鈥�

Families from all over were able to come together and enjoy time with their students, while traveling back in time to the roaring 20s.

Alex Diaz, second year LEAD Scholar and LEAD Executive Board Open House director said, 鈥淚t was great to be able to show my mom a program that I am so involved with.鈥�

LEAD Scholars Academy provides students with various opportunities to learn more about themselves, develop new leadership skills, and become student leaders through programs and events, including campuswide leadership workshops, leadership retreats, and leadership conferences.

The breakfast started off a very busy, exciting and fun Family Weekend game day by creating a relaxing morning for participants. The Jazz ensemble, officially called the 鈥淛azz Workshop鈥� made up of 麻豆原创 students, provided the lively jazz music.

This event also provided parents, families and students an opportunity to mix and mingle with Maribeth Ehasz, vice president for Student Development and Enrollment Services, and members of her Leadership Team.

This is a very special experience here at 麻豆原创 that allows you and your family to visit 麻豆原创 and experience what the university and Orlando area has to offer. During the weekend from Friday to Sunday, families had the opportunity to attend several events hosted by not only the Office of First Year Experience, but also events by several different departments on campus such as Housing and Residence Life, Career Center, Office of Student Involvement, and even Undergraduate Studies.

These events included the Family Weekend home Football Game, Office of First Year Experience鈥檚 Friday Knight Welcome event, and Open Houses of the housing communities by the Department of Housing and Residence Life.

The Knights will kick off against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at 6 p.m. Saturday at Bright House Networks Stadium.

Family Weekend highlights include:

Registration is closed for some Family Weekend events.

麻豆原创 Family Weekend is an annual tradition bringing together families and students to create memories that will last a lifetime. Student Development and Enrollment Services staff looks forward to meeting聽family and friends on Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29.

A variety of events are planned throughout the weekend such as: Friday Knight Welcome, Family Weekend Breakfast, Late Knights, Tour of the Health Center, Breakfast and Bigger Beds, and 麻豆原创 Football vs. South Carolina.

For a full schedule of events, visit: fye.sdes.ucf.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend begins Friday, Sept. 27. The previously scheduled college open houses will be postponed to a later date to accommodate the Knights鈥� noon kickoff against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bright House Networks Stadium on Saturday.

On Friday, 麻豆原创 women鈥檚 soccer team will face their rivals, USF, at 6 p.m. at the 麻豆原创 Soccer Complex. The volleyball team also will play USF on Friday with a match start of 8 p.m. at the Venue. 麻豆原创 students are admitted free to both games with their student IDs, and adult tickets will be for sale for $5 for each game.

麻豆原创 Athletics also will distribute 2,000 early entry passes for Saturday鈥檚 football game to students with a valid ID who attend the soccer and volleyball games. The passes will serve as an early entry option for the game but will not guarantee admission.

The Recreation & Wellness Center will host a welcome party featuring food, music and other entertainment from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. The event costs $25 per person.

Late Knights鈥攖he monthly late-night alcohol-alternative program鈥攚ill start at 10 p.m. Friday in the Student Union. 鈥淕ame Knight鈥� will feature Jenga, Twister and other classic games, as well as music and other entertainment.

Student Development and Enrollment Services will host its annual family weekend breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union. The event is $20 per person.

The Student Government Association鈥檚 Family Weekend Tailgate will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Knights Plaza. The free event will include games, giveaways and live music.

Families visiting students who live in 麻豆原创 Housing can participate in free housewarming parties in select communities.

The Rosen College of Hospitality Management will celebrate its 30th anniversary with family-oriented, New Orleans-inspired brunches on Sunday. Brunches will begin at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Theatre 麻豆原创鈥檚 production of The Underpants also will be showing throughout Family Weekend. The laugh-out loud play adapted by comedian Steve Martin focuses on the human spirit of curiosity and how a small bit of impropriety can cause the biggest scandal. It will play at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the 麻豆原创 Black Box Theatre.
Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for other guests.

A variety of events will be hosted on 麻豆原创’s campus throughout the weekend including the Friday Knight Welcome, Family Weekend Breakfast, Late Knights and 麻豆原创 Football vs. South Carolina.

To register for Family Weekend and schedule of events, visit: fye.sdes.ucf.edu/familyweekend. This will be a great time to actively engage in the 麻豆原创 community.

SDES looks forward to seeing you there. Go Knights!

Karen Felton, a mother of a second-year LEAD Scholar, said, 鈥淚 thought that the family weekend was awesome 鈹� better than last year.聽 There was something for everyone young and old.聽 To see families from all over come together and celebrate our students鈥� success was one of life’s most precious moments.聽 I look forward to every year being better than the year before.聽 Go Knights!鈥�

Emy Umoh, a second-year LEAD Scholar, said, 鈥淔amily Weekend was truly a remarkable experience for me. Walking into a Harry Potter themed, made me really feel like a true wizard. I walked away feeling truly magical.”

LEAD Students Association Director Mike Lebowitz said, “Under the direction of Jackie LaLonde, A 鈥榁ery Wizarding Family Weekend鈥� made for a very memorable family weekend. Jackie organized the event to a 鈥楾鈥� with a delicious meal and delicious desserts. The magic show and ‘How Well Do You Know Your Scholar’ sparked conversation throughout the entire 280 people gathered. The event was both a success and a triumph as to how well the LEAD Scholars can show what they are made of.”

Families commemorated their experiences with free pictures at the photo booth during the Sept. 15 event.聽 Money was also collected at the event to support 鈥淐upcakes for Cancer,鈥� a non-profit group that was created through LEAD Scholars.

The campus and all parking lots and garages will open at 8 a.m. for game-day activities and Family Weekend events. Kickoff for the game between the Knights and Florida International University will be at 4 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium.

Before the game, fans can learn about 麻豆原创鈥檚 academic programs by attending College Open Houses between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Activities during this Family Weekend tradition will include music performances, a free-throw shooting contest and a mini-lecture on medieval humor.

This fall, 麻豆原创 joined hundreds of colleges and universities around the nation that have a tobacco and/or smoke-free policy in place. 麻豆原创鈥檚 new smoke-free policy applies to visitors as well as students, staff and faculty members, vendors and others while on university-owned or leased properties. The policy was put into motion last year to encourage healthy lifestyles and change the university community鈥檚 behavior so that everyone鈥檚 right to clean air is respected.

More information on 麻豆原创’s game-day policies, including parking maps, is available at 麻豆原创GameDay.com.

Great Seats Available: Tickets can be purchased by calling the 麻豆原创 Athletics Ticket Office at 407-823-1000 or going to ucfknights.com. Students can purchase season tickets to guarantee admission to every home game or visit the student ticket registration website at www.KnightTickets.com prior to each home game. Student registration for the home opener runs through Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Game Day Promotions: In addition to being part of Family Weekend, Saturday鈥檚 game will be Knights for Youth Day and Knights for Scouts Day. Knights for Youth Day activities will be held from noon to 3 p.m.聽in IOA Plaza west of Bright House Networks Stadium, and聽they will include sports drills with 麻豆原创 student-athletes, inflatable games and face painting.

Arrive Early to Support Your Knights: The stadium gates will open at 2:30 p.m. Make sure you leave enough time to get to your seats by kickoff. Students should use gates 7 through 9 to enter the stadium.

Game Day Fan Help Desk: Fans with questions about game days can call 407-882-FANS (3267) beginning at 8 a.m. on home game days. Inside the stadium, fans can send a text message to 鈥�69050鈥� and type 鈥溌槎乖粹�� followed by a brief description of the issue and its location in the stadium. Ushers, public safety or first-aid personnel, or other event staff will respond as needed.

Where Should I Park? Parking is divided into three zones 鈥� Gold, Red and Blue. The Gold Zone, closest to Bright House Networks Stadium, requires a reserved game day parking permit and is only for members of the Golden Knights Club, credentialed media, stadium operations personnel and patrons with disabilities.

Almost all parking in the Red Zone and Blue Zone is free and open to everyone. The first two levels of Garage B, located across from the Recreation and Wellness Center, are reserved for official university business. Garage H near the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center will be reserved for authorized students displaying Student Government Association-provided parking passes and cash-paying customers ($20). Proceeds support student scholarships.

Parking for fans with disabilities is available on the first floor of Garage D across from the 麻豆原创 Arena. A free shuttle for patrons with disabilities will be provided from Garage D to Bright House Networks Stadium (Gate 13) from 2 p.m. until two hours after the game ends.

Parking is not allowed along any campus roadways, in residential housing parking lots or garages, or on any open grassy areas throughout campus (except for designated E lots in the stadium area).

Where and When Can I Tailgate? Tailgating is permitted in campus parking lots and open areas, but it is not allowed in any parking garage. For all campus tailgating areas, the open-container waiver (alcohol consumption) will go into effect at 8 a.m. and end at kickoff. Anyone possessing or consuming alcohol must be prepared to show proof that he or she is 21 or older. Campus parking lots will close for game day activities two hours after the game.

Protect Yourself From the Heat: Fans should drink plenty of water or sports drinks, and limit alcohol consumption, to ensure they are replacing essential fluids lost due to the heat. Consider wearing sunscreen, a hat and loose-fitting clothes. First-aid stations are on the main concourse near gates 10 and 18 inside the stadium, and the American Red Cross will have aid stations on Memory Mall.

Below is a rundown of what fans coming to the home opener should know.

Leave Glass Bottles and Pets at Home: Fans are not permitted to bring glass containers, kegs or beer funnels on campus. Animals, except for service animals, are not allowed on campus on game days. Excessively loud or amplified sound systems also are not permitted.

Game Day Towing: Any vehicle parked in the Gold Zone without a valid game day permit is subject to towing as early as 5 a.m. Saturday. The Gold Zone includes surface parking lots C 1-2, D 1-2 and E 1-8, as well as garages C, D and F. This does not apply to Towers residents who have permits to park in Garages E and G. They are allowed to remain in their spaces. Vehicles on the first two levels of Garage B or in parking lot B7 also are subject to towing as early as 5 a.m. Saturday.

Free Student Shuttles: 麻豆原创 will operate free shuttles for students to and from several nearby apartment complexes from 11 a.m. until two hours after the game ends. The on-campus shuttle routes (Black and Gold routes) will not be operating on game days.

Free Park-and-Ride: Fans are invited to park at the Research Pavilion in the Research Park adjacent to campus and ride free shuttles that will continuously transport passengers from the Research Pavilion to the on-campus Health & Public Affairs stop at Lot C1. Game day service will be available from 2 p.m. until two hours after the game ends.

Courtesy Tram: Courtesy tram services will be available for guests needing assistance to the ADA Shuttle Bus pick-up/drop-off point at Garage D. This courtesy tram will operate around Apollo Circle with passenger pick-up/drop-off at designated locations only. The ADA Shuttle Bus will provide further transportation to Bright House Networks Stadium (Gate 13) for those patrons with disabilities desiring to use this free service. Click here for more information and a map of the stops.

麻豆原创 Alumni Association Pregame Party: Fans can chow down and watch NCAA football games inside the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free for fans with 麻豆原创 Alumni membership cards and their guests. Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall and former New York Giants wide receiver Darcy Johnson, both of whom played for 麻豆原创, will be signing autographs from 1 to 1:30 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.ucfalumni.com/tailgate.

Have a safe, fun game day on campus!聽Go Knights!