We are excited to welcome our families back to UCA’s campus with our Fall 2024 Family Weekend on September 27-28, 2024!
Friday, September 27th
Family Movie Night
9:00 – 10:30 pm – Arkansas Hall Lawn | Free
Families are invited to join your student for a fun movie night on the lawn of Arkansas Hall. We will be showing Despicable Me 4. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! Free popcorn, candy, and drinks will be provided. The movie will begin around 9 pm.
Hosted by: Student Activities Board
Saturday, September 28th
Downtown Conway Farmers’ and Crafts Market
8:00 am – 12:00 pm – 718 Parkway Street | Website
Farmers, bakers, and makers offering a variety of vegetables, baked goods, honey, meat, eggs, flowers, and a large variety of handmade crafts.
Parent & Family Programs Brunch
10:00 am – 11:30 am – Student Center Ballroom | $15
Guest Speaker: Dr. Nadia Eslinger, Director of UCA BEAR Life Program
Continental brunch will be served. First-year students and families are especially welcomed.
Hosted by: Parent and Family Programs
Shop the UCA Bookstore
10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Student Center First Floor
Pick out something new to show your Bear pride! Textbooks and school supplies for all your class needs as well as apparel, spirit wear, gift items, and various fiction and nonfiction book titles. To find out more about the bookstore, feel free to call 501-450-3414.
Hosted by: The UCA Bookstore
Living Learning Communities Open House
11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Living Learning Communities’ Lobbies across campus | Free
Come check out your student’s Living Learning Community and learn about their hall’s specific focus and service-learning projects for the year.
Hosted by: Living Learning Communities
Fun Fair
11:30 am – 3:30 pm – Practice Football Field | Free (Liability Waiver Required)
Fun for the whole family! Enjoy one of the many inflatable attractions, play lawn games, visit the petting zoo, and more! Make sure to check in at the Student Life table to complete your waiver and pick up your free meal ticket for lunch in the Christian Cafeteria (while supplies last). UCA students can also pick up a free UCA Family Weekend t-shirt (while supplies last)! Concessions will be available.
Hosted by: Office of Student Life
Bruce’s Battle Station
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Farris Center Parking Lot
Get battle ready with the UCA Bears! Tailgate games, face painting, pom-poms and the chance to meet Bruce and Sugar Bear!
Hosted by: UCA Athletics
Tailgating
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Bruce Street
Enjoy food and festivities before the football game! Members of the UCA Alumni Association can enjoy a complimentary meal provided by Uncle Tim’s and Point Remove Brewing in the Buffalo Alumni Hall Courtyard from 4-6 p.m. Non-members may eat for $5.
Hosted by: UCA Alumni Association
UCA Bears vs. Lamar University Cardinals
6:00 pm – Estes Stadium
Join us on The Stripes as your UCA Bears Football team takes on the Cardinals of Lamar University.
Family Weekend participants may use coupon code FAMILYWEEKEND24 to receive a 50% discount on general admission tickets through Friday, September 27.
Hosted by: UCA Athletics
Planetarium Show
7:00 pm – Dr. Edmond E. Griffin Planetarium in the Conway Corporation Center for the Sciences | Free
Come visit the Dr. Edmond E. Griffin Planetarium for the one-hour presentation Mayan and Mexica Archaeoastronomy
In a feast of colors and sounds, Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe makes a tour of 6 Mayan temples: San Gervasio, Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Edzná, Palenque and Bonampak where the spectator dives into a Mayan world of knowledge about the importance of the orientations of its temples in relation to the movement of some stars like the Sun, the Moon and Venus.
Through impressive immersive scenarios, “Mexica Archaeoastronomy: Between Space and Time” illustrates the important role played by astronomical observation for the evolution of pre-Hispanic cultures in central Mexico. The Mexicas used the calendrical and astronomical knowledge inherited by their predecessor cultures to found the capital of their empire: Tenochtitlan. Vibrant colors, shapes and sounds transport the viewer to one of the most important cultures that, to this day, still lives of the Mexican people.
Entry to the planetarium starts at 6:50 pm. Seating is on a first-come basis with maximum capacity of 94. No food or drink is allowed.
Hosted by: Dr. Edmond E. Griffin Planetarium
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park?
We encourage you to park in the lot at the intersection of Donaghey Avenue and Torreyson Street or the lot behind Donaghey Hall. There is also limited visitor parking in the lot behind Schichtl. You are permitted to park in any parking space on campus that is not reserved or a designated handicap space. View the Campus Map for help in navigating campus and parking lots.
What lodging is available for families?
The Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau maintains a list of available lodging in the community.
