Family Weekend Schedule

Saturday, September 23

Family Weekend Scavenger Hunt

Participate in this ISU-themed scavenger hunt to learn more about ISU, make memories, and have a chance to win a prize! Scavenger hunt opens Friday, September 22 at 8 a.m. and closes Sunday, September 24 at 10 p.m. To participate:

1. Download the Goosechase iOS or Android app.
2. Log in, sign up for an account or participate as a guest.
3. Search for this experience by code 5ZJK5L or name Family Weekend Scavenger Hunt.
4. Create a profile using your name.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: OC101: An Orientation to Living Off-Campus - Old Main Room, Bone Student Center

Location. Rent. Safety. Leases. There is a lot to think about when your student moves off-campus. Staff from the Dean of Students Office will provide an overview of the rental search and lease process as well as information about living off-campus. This information is extremely helpful to have before your student signs a lease.

10 a.m. - 12 Noon: Parent and Family Services Open House Tent - Turner East Lawn (South of Hancock Stadium)

Have any questions about your student’s Illinois State experience? Want to meet the staff from the Dean of Students office who help you when you call Parent and Family Services? Stop by the Parent and Family Services Open House tent before the game for information and some Redbird spirit swag! While at the tent, be sure to gather your group together for a photo to commemorate Family Weekend.

10 a.m. - 12 Noon: Reggie's Fun Zone - Horton Field House

There will be face painting, yard games, pop-a-shots, mini basketball hoops, and coloring pages!

10 - 11:30 a.m.: Residential Tailgate - Outside Haynie Hall, Tri-Towers

University Housing Services is sponsoring a Residential Tailgate for all on-campus residents and their families! Stop by for food, fun, and yard games! Free event. No RSVP required.

10 - 11:30 a.m.: Wonsook Kim School of Art: Screen-printing, Button-making, and N.E.W. Printmaking Open House - Center for Visual Arts, Room 123 and 129A

We would be honored to have Art Redbirds and their families join us during Illinois State University’s Family Weekend! We will be gathering on the first floor of the Center for Visual Arts for coffee and donuts, live DIY screen-printing of t-shirts and tote bags, a button-making station, and a viewing of select fine art prints from the Normal Editions Workshop collection. Screen printing and button-making will be available until supplies run out. 

Please try to RSVP via our online form by Wednesday, September. RSVP is appreciated, but not required to participate in this free event. 

10 a.m. - 12 Noon: Mennonite College of Nursing Open House - Edwards Hall

Join the Mennonite College of Nursing at their open house to meet Dean Neubrander and faculty! Light refreshments will be provided. No RSVP needed.

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Student Fitness Center Tour - Student Fitness Center

Take a self-guided tour of the 170,000-square-foot facility throughout the weekend. Staff will be on hand to provide Campus Recreation information and answer questions.

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Student Fitness Center Workout - Student Fitness Center

Free workouts are available to family members aged 18 and older with pre-registration. You must be accompanied by an Illinois State University student during your workout. To pre-register, please contact Campus Recreation at (309) 438-7529 by Wednesday, September 20. Individuals who do not pre-register may work out for a $10 daily guest pass, sponsored by the ISU student.

10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 12 a.m.: Laser Fantasy Show - ISU Planetarium, Felmley Hall of Science Annex 167 (White Domed Roof at Eastern End of Felmley Hall)

The Illinois State University Planetarium is presenting a series of full-dome laser-light concerts in celebration of ISU Family Weekend. Dazzling lasers and music combine to sweep you off your feet as each show explores a different artist or musical genre; from classic rock to country, including the Beetles, Elton John, and Queen. Also featured is Pink Floyd’s rock classic The Dark Side Of the Moon. 

Admission to this unique planetarium event is only $10 per person. Cash or checks only. Tickets may be purchased at the Planetarium door before each presentation. There are no advanced ticket sales. Seating is limited. Free parking for the ISU Planetarium’s evening and weekend programs is available a short distance from the ISU Planetarium in University parking lot F-67, located on the east side of School Street.

10:30 a.m. - The Beetles, 12 p.m. - Rocket Man, 1:30 p.m. - Queen, 3 p.m. - Pink Floyd-DSM, 4:30 p.m. - Laser Country, 6 p.m. - Laser Pop, 7:30 p.m. - The Beetles, 9 p.m. - Rocket Man, 10:30 p.m. - Queen, 12 a.m. - Pink Floyd-DSM

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Deb Austin Voice Studio Recital - Kemp Recital Hall

Students from Debra Austin's studio perform songs from both classical and musical theater repertoire. No ticket required.

12 Noon: Redbird Football vs. Lindenwood - Hancock Stadium (Ticket required)

Cheer on the Redbird football team as they play Lindenwood at 12:00 p.m. Order game tickets now by visiting GoRedbirds.com/tickets. Families wishing to sit with students should purchase west side general admission tickets. For this game, general admission and student sections will be merged to allow families to sit together.

Tailgate/parking permits are SOLD OUT. An additional tailgating lot, F43, will open 5 hours before game time and spaces can be purchased for $10 cash. Space is limited. For more information on available parking during Family Weekend, or to view other parking locations on campus, contact the Office of Parking and Transportation. Please be sure to follow all regulations for athletic tailgating events.

If your student is a Red Alert member, they just need to swipe their student ID at any gate to Hancock Stadium to receive admission to the game. Red Alert members do not need to claim a ticket ahead of time. For non-Red Alert members, single-game student tickets to regular-season football games are $5. Students must purchase that ticket directly because they are required to provide their student ID number. Students may purchase tickets online at GoRedbirds.com/students or in-person at either the Hancock Stadium or CEFCU Arena ticket offices, starting at 9 a.m. on the Monday before the game. Students will need to show a Redbird card in order to purchase a student ticket, and each student is limited to 1 student ticket. It is highly recommended to purchase your ticket prior to game day to avoid long waiting lines.

1 p.m.: Ice Hockey, ISU D3 vs Maryville University - Grossinger Motors Arena (Ticket Required)

Illinois State University Redbird Hockey D3 team takes to the ice at the GMA! Tickets are $10 a person and can be purchased online through ticketmaster or the day of the match at Grossinger Motors Arena. Doors open at 12 Noon. 

1 p.m.: Men's Rugby Match - Gregory Street Fields

Illinois State University Men's Rugby takes on Loyola! Free admission.

2 p.m.: Princess Fearless by Keetha B. - Center for the Performing Arts Theatre (Sensory Friendly)

This original play - based on a book of the same name, written by Matthews Playhouse teaching Artist Lakeetha Blakeney (Keetha B.) - tells the story of Louise Miller (Lou for short), a fourth grader in Mrs. Smith's class at Corine L. Cannon Elementary school, who has a major problem. She has been late for school several times and will be in big trouble if it happens again. She has to face her fears in order to get there before the bell rings.

This performance will be a sensory-friendly performance. Sensory-friendly performances are adapted to create a theatre experience intended for patrons who have autism or other social, cognitive, and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities and their families. Accommodations include, but are not limited to:

• Lower sound level, especially for startling or loud sounds
• House lights are left on at a low level during the performance
• Reduced strobe lighting or lighting focused on the audience
• Patrons are free to talk, leave their seats, and move freely during the performance

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CPA Box Office, by calling (309) 438-2535 during business hours, or online. Use the code FAMILY2023 to receive the discounted price of; Adults $15 and Students/Seniors $10.

3-11 p.m.: Esports Arena Tour - Bowling and Billiards Center

Take a self-guided tour of Illinois State University's state-of-the-art esports arena. Staff will be available to answer questions. No RSVP or ticket required.

3:15 p.m.: Ice Hockey, ISU D2 vs Maryville University - Grossinger Motors Arena (Ticket Required)

Illinois State University Redbird Hockey D2 team takes to the ice at the GMA! Tickets are $10 a person and can be purchased online through ticketmaster or the day of the match at Grossinger Motors Arena. Doors open at 2:15 p.m. 

4 p.m.: Dinner & Dueling Pianos - Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center (Ticket required)

Dueling Pianos is a fun, interactive evening of entertainment featuring the dueling piano talents of Cool 2 Duel. This musical comedy experience will have you singing along to favorites from classic rock to country, hard rock to R&B, oldies, and show tunes to the newest Top 40 hits. You provide the direction for the show by requesting your favorite songs and then watch how these two sharp-witted, incredibly talented musicians perform your requests. Tickets are $35 per person and include the show as well as a taco/nacho bar and dessert. Cash bar available. General admission seating. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. This event is not intended for young children. SOLD OUT.

5-5:45 p.m.: Team Registration / 6-7:30 p.m.: "Minute to Win It" Family Challenge

Think you have what it takes to compete…and win? If so, then get in the game and show Illinois State University what you can do! Two-person teams (all ages are welcome) will use everyday household items and have just 60 seconds to complete the assigned tasks. These challenges take just a minute to play, but will provide a lifetime of laughter! Sponsored and hosted by Campus Recreation.

Team registration takes place on Saturday, September 23rd from 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. at the Student Fitness Center and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited to 40 two-person teams. For questions, please contact Campus Recreation at (309) 438-7529. Free event!

7 p.m.: Redbird Volleyball vs. University of Northern Iowa, CEFCU Arena (Ticket Required)

Cheer on the volleyball team as they play UNI. Illinois State University students get in free with a valid student ID. Tickets are available on GoRedbirds.com/tickets, by calling (309) 438-8000, by emailing tickets@IllinoisState.edu, or at the Redbird Ticket Office. All seating is general admission so families can sit with students.

7 p.m.: Ice Hockey, ISU D1 vs Maryville University - Grossinger Motors Arena (Ticket Required)

Illinois State University Redbird Hockey D1 team takes to the ice at the GMA! Tickets are $10 a person and can be purchased online through ticketmaster or the day of the match at Grossinger Motors Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m.

7 p.m.: Movie Night at Braden Auditorium - Twister, Bone Student Center

Join us for a FREE Movie Night at Braden Auditorium! Twister will be shown on Saturday, September 23 at 7 p.m. Only beverages (with a top) will be allowed into Braden Auditorium. No food will be permitted.

7:30 p.m.: Dinner & Dueling Pianos - Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center

Dueling Pianos is a fun, interactive evening of entertainment featuring the dueling piano talents of Cool 2 Duel. This musical comedy experience will have you singing along to favorites from classic rock to country, hard rock to R&B, oldies, and show tunes to the newest Top 40 hits. You provide the direction for the show by requesting your favorite songs and then watch how these two sharp-witted, incredibly talented musicians perform your requests. Tickets are $35 per person and include the show as well as a taco/nacho bar and dessert. Cash bar available. General admission seating. Doors open at 7 p.m. This event is not intended for young children. SOLD OUT.

7:30 p.m.: Princess Fearless by Keetha B. - Center for the Performing Arts Theatre

This original play - based on a book of the same name, written by Matthews Playhouse teaching Artist Lakeetha Blakeney (Keetha B.) - tells the story of Louise Miller (Lou for short), a fourth grader in Mrs. Smith's class at Corine L. Cannon Elementary school, who has a major problem. She has been late for school several times and will be in big trouble if it happens again. She has to face her fears in order to get there before the bell rings.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CPA Box Office, by calling (309) 438-2535 during business hours, or online starting Monday, August 28. Use the code FAMILY2023 to receive the discounted price of; Adults $15 and Students/Seniors $10.