8 AM - Midnight Prism Gallery (Lower Level Hallway, Festival Conference and Student Center, Free) Each year since 2000, International Week has brought with it the bonus of wondrous images from the cameras of students, faculty and staff and their journeys. For some, the U.S. is an international experience. View the best from I-Week 2018 with these winning photos and videos from around the globe and their visual slant on “Our Changing Climates: Everybody’s Business.”
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8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Honors College Freshman Family Weekend Breakfast (Shenandoah Hall) All Honors College Freshmen and families are welcome to attend. Please RSVP by Friday, October 4th | More information and RSVP here »
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8:45 AM - 4 PM ARC of CITIZENSHIP (James Madison's Montpelier) In line with JMU's vision to be a national model for civic engagement, the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement and the Office of the President will provide JMU students and their families with an opportunity to engage at James Madison’s Montpelier. Registration is required and includes transportation, informative presentation and discussion, lunch and a guided tour. For more information, and to register, visit www.jmu.edu/civic/family-weekend.shtml.
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9 AM - 10 PM UREC Family Hours (UREC) Families are welcome and encouraged to avail themselves of the wide assortment of UREC and UPARK’s facilities and amenities. Please be sure to bring a photo ID, and students must accompany family members.
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9 AM - Noon The Makery Sideshow (Bookstore Sidewalk, Carrier Drive) The Makery Traveling Sideshow gives families an opportunity to get their hands on some of the technologies we use in JMU Libraries to encourage creativity, exploration, problem-solving and curiosity. Come play with virtual reality, 3D printing, light and sound, cardboard toys, and more!
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9 AM - 3 PM Fall Plant & Bulb Sale (Edith J. Carrier Arboretum) The plant and bulb sale will be held at the Frances Plecker Education Center in the arboretum.
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9 AM - 5 PM JMU Bookstore Shop the bookstore »
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10 AM - 11 AM Career & Academic Planning event for families and students (Madison Union, Room 306, Free) The staff in Career & Academic Planning and our employer guests would like to meet you and your students. Come hear about CAP resources and what employers look for while enjoying brunch items. Learn about the resources and services available at JMU and how you can get involved. Click here to register.
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10 AM - 3 PM Experience the Wonders of Wilson (Wilson Hall, Free) Make history with us in the newly-renovated Wilson Hall! Celebrate the past and envision the future in JMU’s newest, state-of-the-art learning environment. Check out our interactive classrooms and explore digital history in our innovative History Lab. Join the Department of History for a scavenger hunt and family-oriented activities. Learn about the wonders of history and heritage from JMU's award winning faculty and students in presentations exploring local events to global trends, from the ancient world to the contemporary universe.
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UREC Programs
Join UREC for an adventure this family weekend!
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8 AM - Noon Family Weekend Hike (Meet at International Food Max Grocery Store, $15) | Click here for tickets. We will travel to the border of West Virginia for a scenic hike to the historic High Knob fire tower. This moderate 2-mile round trip trail hike includes some uphill hiking. Your efforts will be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains from the top of a fire tower. More info: Meet at the International Food max Grocery Store 9924 W Market St., Harrisonburg) Price includes leaders, transportation and snacks. Dress in layers and wear closed toed shoes. Rain jacket is always a good idea. Please bring a small backpack, 2 liters of water, sunblock, and a hat.
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8 AM - Noon Family Weekend Canoe (Meet at Martin's Grocery Store, $20) | Click here for tickets. Prerequisite: Swimming ability. Come out and enjoy the beauty of the valley as we canoe on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Paddle “Lake Shenandoah,” a flat-water-section in northeastern Rockingham County about 30 minutes from JMU. Basic canoeing and safety instruction will be covered. All you need to bring are your paddling clothes and shoes. We will be back before the football game kickoff. More info: Meet at Martin’s Grocery Store (2035 E. Market St., Harrisonburg) Price includes equipment, leaders, transportation and snacks. Dress in layers in clothes that can get wet (just in case) and wear shoes with straps that can get wet (no flip-flops). Please bring a small backpack, 2 liters of water, sunblock and a hat.
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10 AM - Noon Family Weekend Downtown Bike Ride (Meet at UREC Adventure Center, $10) | Click here for tickets. We will ride to the Harrisonburg Farmers' Market where you can purchase great local breakfast items. After enjoying the Farmers' Market, you are welcome to explore downtown before riding back as a group to UREC. More info: Includes leaders and adult sized bikes only, helmets provided (required).
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Noon - 8 PM Open Climbing (UREC) No registration necessary. If you want to add a challenge to your Family Weekend, then look no further. Parents, siblings and friends are welcome to join us for an afternoon of fun in UREC’s brand new Adventure Center, complete with a freestanding climbing tower and expansive bouldering wall. We will cover all you need to know for your first climb. Please be sure to bring a photo ID, and students must accompany family members.
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10 AM - 2 PM Family Weekend Picnic On Hanson Field (Adults $15 | Students free with meal punch | Children (6-12): $8 | Kids 5 & Under: Free) If inclement weather, tickets may be used at D-Hall and E-Hall. View the menu » | Click here for tickets.
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10 AM - 1:30 PM JMU Family Photobooth (Hanson Field, Free) Visit the JMU Family Photobooth to take a fun photo with your JMU Family and pick up some free purple and gold beads and pom-poms!
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11 AM - 5 PM Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art (Duke Hall, Room 1022, Free)
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Multiple Showings The John C. Wells Planetarium (Miller Hall, Showings at 11AM, 1PM, 2:15PM, 3:30PM, Free) Visit the Planetarium website at jmu.edu/planetarium for more information. Weather permitting, the solar telescopes will be set up near the sundial at Burruss Hall and Carrier Library. This telescope provides an incredible view of our sun safely!
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11 AM University Outpost FanZone (Godwin Patio, Free) The FanZone is a family focused pre-game festival that features inflatable games, a bounce house, face-painting (courtesy of the JMU Cheerleaders!), music, the Dog Walk, and much more. The FanZone opens two and a half hours prior to kickoff and remains open until 30 minutes before game time. Come out and show your Madison spirit while having fun with the whole family.
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1:30 PM JMU Dukes Football vs. Villanova (Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, students free with reservation and JACard) Join us for our annual Family Weekend football game as your JMU Dukes host the Villanova Wildcats. Click here to purchase tickets or call (540) 568-3853. (If you wish to sit with your student during the game, enter their student ID # when prompted.) | Purchase tickets » | Game Day Info »
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4 - 8 PM D-Hall Fan Favorites (Early Seating: 4:30-6PM, Late Seating: 6:15-8PM, $13/person | Kids 5 and under: Free | Students: Free with meal punch) Reservations and walk-ins welcome. View the menu » | Click here for tickets.
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4:30 - 8 PM Fantastic Feast at E-Hall (Early Seating: 4:30-6PM, Late Seating: 6:15-8PM, Adults: $23 | Students: Meal Punch (Reservations only, students reserve ticket online and then we punch at the door | Kids (6-12): $13 | Kids 5 and under: Free) Back by popular demand - crab legs! We're serving all the favorites at this year's dinner, so come enjoy a relaxing meal with some great company. As an added bonus, with every adult ticket you receive a $3 off coupon for Sunday brunch at D-Hall or E-Hall. | View the menu » | Click here for tickets.
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8 PM JMU POPS! (JMU Convocation Center, Featuring the Marching Royal Dukes and other JMU ensembles, Tickets are $15) This one-of-a-kind musical spectacular showcases some of JMU’s finest music ensembles and faculty talent. Be ready to stand up and cheer for performances by the Marching Royal Dukes, as well as the JMU Chorale, Brass Band and Symphony Orchestra. One of JMU’s favorite Family Weekend traditions, this musical celebration is great entertainment for all ages! No refunds or exchanges. Night of tickets can be purchased at the Convocation Center.
Tickets are on sale now at www.jmuforbescenter.com. Or, purchase tickets in person at the Forbes Center Main Box Office (Monday-Friday 10AM-5:30PM)
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