A BYU Marching Band member celebrates Parents Weekend with her father. Parents can experience a wide variety of BYU events with their students this weekend. (Shannon Landen)
BYU's Parents Weekend kicks off on Thursday. This weekend, parents and students can attend a Mexican fiesta with President Worthen, take behind-the-scenes tours of campus and cheer on the Cougars at Saturday's football game.
BYU Alumni Services Coordinator Curtis Isaak said Parents Weekend has been a BYU tradition for 15 years. Isaak explained why Parents Weekend is special for students, parents and the BYU community.
'We hope that parents will feel the Spirit of the Y as they experience BYU with their students,' Isaak said.
This will be Isaak's tenth year in charge of the event. He recalled his favorite memory from Parents Weekend.
'I remember a non-member mother during one Parents Weekend who had never been to BYU before,' Isaak said. 'She had such a wonderful time at BYU that she came up to me afterwards and told me she knew her son was in the right place.'
Isaak said the weekend's activities are a diverse mix of BYU traditions and programs.
'We incorporate several student groups and clubs, such as Living Legends, Vocal Point and even the Break Dance club,' Isaak said. 'We do this in hopes that all who attend may feel the spirit and mission of BYU.'
Isaak said all parents are welcome to attend, as the event is designed to be memorable for both alumni and non-alumni.
'A large number of our parents are alumni, so this is a great opportunity for them to connect back to their Alma Mater,' Isaak said. 'For those who aren’t alumni, we hope they will still feel a part of the BYU family.'
BYU Alumni Association Executive Director Keith Lue said Parents Weekend is an opportunity for visitors to realize the spirit and mission of the university.
'When parents visit campus, they naturally feel the Spirit of the Y,' Lue said. 'President Worthen describes this Spirit as an intangible force that binds us together and brings out the best in each of us.'
Below is the Parents Weekend schedule of events:
Thursday
Cougar Family Fiesta - Eat a Mexican dinner with President Worthen. Performances by Cosmo Cougar, BYU Marching Band, and Living Legends.
Friday
Campus Cart Tours - Schedule a guided campus tour before the weekend begins.
John Franklin Shelley Visitors Center at the Hinckley Center - Go on a self-guided tour of BYU's history.
Museum of Peoples and Cultures - Tour the museum's updated exhibits in the new location on North Canyon Road.
Service Projects at Y-Serve - Visit the Y-Serve office in the WSC to participate in service projects.
Museum of Art Stroll and Reception - Enjoy light refreshments while viewing the museum's featured exhibits.
BYU Behind the Scenes Tours - Explore the Bell Tower, the Legacy Hall in the Student Athlete Building, an aerial tour on top of the SWKT, backstage of the HFAC theaters, and recording studios at BYU Broadcasting.
Tailgate Party - Get ready for the football game at this tailgate catered by J-Dawgs, with a performance by Vocal Point.
BYU v. UCONN football game
Saturday
5K Walk/Run - Race through BYU Campus
General Conference - Watch General Conference together.
Parents and students can find the detailed schedule of Parents Weekend on the BYU Alumni website.