This weekend, the annual Gustavus Family Weekend will happen on campus. Many Gusties are awaiting this event with ecstatic anticipation, others with nothing but dread; reuniting with family tends to elicit mixed reactions.

Whether you’re stoked for the weekend festivities or just hoping you’ll survive a day with your mom, here’s a guide to the events coming up during the celebration.

For those who might not have gotten their proper breakfast Saturday morning (or are just looking to eat some pancakes), both Norelius and Pittman Halls are serving up pancake breakfasts from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This event is organized by Collegiate Fellows (CF’s) as a way to get to know Gustie families. “I’m really excited for the pancake feed [we] put on for first year students,” Kristen Eggler, a CF from Sohre said.

“The parents are so excited to meet us and always have stories of their students [to] share.”

Informative workshops will be a key component to the weekend events, and they provide a lot of information both parents and students need to know going deeper into this school year.

Saturday hosts four workshop opportunities from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: Beginning with the End in Mind, History of Gustavus, Nobel Conference Review, Planning Ahead for Semester Away, and The Road Ahead for Gustavus: Recognized Excellence for Your Gustie.

Beginning with the End in the Mind meets in the Gustavus Board Room of Jackson Campus Center. This short seminar provides helpful tips on developing career readiness during a Gustie student’s tenure.

The Nobel Conference Review session, convening in the Konferensrum of the Campus Center, presents an overview of Nobel Conference highlights.

History of Gustavus will take place in the St. Peter Room of the Campus Center. This session will take a look at Gustavus’ rich history, including campus life before and after the destructive tornado of ’98.

Planning Ahead for Semester Away, meeting in the Heritage Room of the Campus Center, will provide a preliminary scope of reference regarding Gustavus’ Study Away options, what families can do to plan for them, and how to get involved.

The final Saturday workshop is The Road Ahead for Gustavus: Recognized Excellence for Your Gustie. Parents in particular will appreciate this event, as it’s targeted toward Gustie parents and their goals for their student.

“I’m so happy I’ll be able to show [my family] around the place I’ve been calling home for the past month.” – Mandii Braun

President Bergman and the Gustavus Parents Council are hosting this afternoon event, complete with refreshments, social engagement, and some in-depth discussion of the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan.

This plan is a recent renewal of the Gustavus commitments to its mission, purpose, and means of decision-making, highlighting our core values of excellence, community, justice, service, and faith.

If you or any of your family members are interested in this event, stop by the Heritage Room from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Another strong component of the Family Weekend is the music. There are two opportunities to attend a concert over the weekend. On Saturday night, Six Appeal A Capella will perform in the Bjorling Recital Hall from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Family Weekend Showcase Concert is final performance of the weekend. It will take place on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Christ Chapel and features the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir, Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and Gustavus Jazz Ensemble.

“I’m looking forward to being able to express music to all the families during the [showcase],” Sophomore Grant Stramer said.

Roughly two hundred students will come together to share music for this event, and it means just as much to them—if not more—as it does to audiences. This event is free and open to the public, so feel free to bring yourself and the whole family.

In addition to informational and musical opportunities, the Family Weekend will host a wide variety of activities and entertainment events. On Friday, Despicable Me 3 will show in Wallenberg Auditorium at both 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The LineUs Improv Comedy troupe will also host a show that day at 8 p.m., so stop by Alumni Hall at that time for an hour-long session of laughs, games, and improv sketches.

Saturday has an array of fun activities in store, including the Arboretum Fall Festival (ll a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Sculpture Walk (1p.m. to 2 p.m.), Trivia (1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Courtyard Café), Human Bubble Soccer (3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hollingsworth Stadium), and Bingo & Pizza (5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Alumni Hall).

While Sunday might not be quite as chock-full of activities, there will be a Holy Communion service in Christ Chapel at 10:30 a.m.

This weekend-long celebration means a lot to Gusties, their families, and our faculty, so be sure to make the most of it.

“I’m so happy I’ll be able to show [my family] around the place I’ve been calling home for the past month,” First-year Mandii Braun said.

Take advantage of these super fun, informative, and unique events, but most importantly; show your loved ones how great it is to live on the hill.