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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe change in venue this year for URI football, which typically brings tailgating, food, and fun outside Meade Stadium, gave Student Involvement coordinator Lucas DeWitt and his team the opportunity to be more creative with event programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFootball is a driving factor,\u201d DeWitt said, \u201cbut there are so many wonderful events outside of the ones our office hosts for families visiting campus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Family Weekend additions for 2026 include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The Wakefield Village Association Halloween Stroll on Oct. 24, which adjusted its original schedule to line up with Family Weekend. The event is held annually on Main Street in Wakefield featuring a costume parade, trick-or-treating at downtown small businesses, a costume contest, face painting, lawn games, a bounce house, and seasonal treats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Music Bingo Night on Oct. 23 at the Ryan Center, featuring prizes for those who complete their entire bingo card.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A special Stuff-A-Ram Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Rams Den in the Memorial Union. The event sold out so quickly that DeWitt said he will likely increase the capacity in 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A free football viewing party in the Rams Den on Oct. 24 for those not making the trip to Pawtucket, with the game displayed on the venue\u2019s new video wall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThis year also provided families the opportunity to pre-register and purchase a special swag package that includes a reversible bucket hat and T-shirt with this year\u2019s unique Family Weekend logo. With the game off campus, Student Involvement also offered a charter bus registration package to provide families transportation to and from Pawtucket. DeWitt said close to 2,000 people have pre-registered for the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\u201cNot everyone will be on campus at the same time,\u201d he said, \u201cbut, for us, it\u2019s nice to see that even during this unique year, there is excitement around the weekend as families reconnect with their students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Family Weekend used to be held in conjunction with URI Homecoming, but the two events separated in 2023 to allow more members of the Rhody community to participate. The split allowed the Family Weekend planning committee to tailor its programming toward its core audience of students, parents, and supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEach weekend is unique and has different target audiences and events and programs that make them special,\u201d DeWitt said. \u201cFor Family Weekend, I have seen immense growth in the past few years in the programs we offer and the overall planning leading up to the weekend. Each year, I know Family Weekend is going to be a popular weekend to welcome new families to campus and reconnect with families we have seen in the past. Family Weekend will always be one of my favorite times of the year because of the level of connection it brings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
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