Parents and families of University of Tennessee, Knoxville students will descend on the campus this weekend for Fall Family Weekend, hosted by the UT Parents Association.
Highlights of the weekend include the fourth annual Family Weekend Silent Auction, the Big Orange Tailgate, and a Sunday brunch. Programming on Friday night provided by Student Activities and the Parents Association include the Fall Fest Street Fair and Ben Rector Concert.
The annual event kicks off with check-in at the Black Cultural Center at 5:00 p.m. Those who have made a donation to the Parents and Families Fund, which benefits student scholarships and programs, will enjoy a small donor reception. While events are going on, the UT Bookstore will stay open until 8:00 p.m. offering a 20 percent discount to Parents Association members.
Other Friday night highlights include a guided tour of Ayres Hall and the Min Kao Building, a Writers in the Library Undergraduate Showcase, and a Lady Vols Volleyball match against SEC opponent Arkansas.
On Saturday, the Parents Association will host almost 4,000 guests and students for the Big Orange Tailgate in Circle Park. This year’s tailgate will once again be a zero-waste event. All materials from the tailgate will be either composted or recycled. During the tailgate, attendees will see the Vol Walk and then make their way to Neyland Stadium to watch the Vols take on the University of Akron Zips. The Silent Auction also will be open to browse, with items such as autographed sports memorabilia, golf packages, artwork, jewelry, and more.
On Sunday, parents will have the chance to have brunch with their students in the Presidential Court Café, as the weekend comes to a close.
Throughout the weekend, Family Weekend registrants will enjoy discounted or free admission to many events and Knoxville venues, such as the McClung Museum, the UT Gardens, the East Tennessee History Center, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Registration for Family Weekend is for UT Parents Association members and their families. For a complete schedule of events including locations and times, visit parents.utk.edu.