This weekend, the university kicked off its two-day Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend with activities on Friday at the 41st annual Black Squirrel Festival, where approximately 70 student organizations and local businesses set up booths on Risman Plaza. 

The event was organized by the Flash Activities Board, who gave away free Black Squirrel Festival shirts to students to commemorate the occasion.  

One of the local businesses at the event was Bell Tower Brewing, where co-founder Bridget Tipton shared samples and details of the downtown Kent brewery with families in-attendance. Along with that, the business is fueled by Golden Flashes, she said. 

“We’ve never been promoted to students before, so we’re really excited to be on campus for the first time,” Tipton said. “All of the people who started the business graduated from Kent State, so it’s really cool to be back.” 

The Women’s Center was one of the many on-campus organizations set up. Hannah Toth and Leah Bruce, interns of the organization, handed out pamphlets, talked about the benefits of the organization and displayed a sign-up sheet for those who wish to receive their newsletter. 

“We have a lot of events that are just catered towards keeping people educated and knowing that we are still working towards gender equity and equality for everyone,” Toth said. 

Caricature artists, henna tattoo artists, a photo booth and live music performances were there throughout the evening to provide entertainment for students and their visiting families. Near the end of the festival, the university announced the 2023 Homecoming Court. 

Other events were hosted later that night, including a family movie night with the Flash Activities Board, make-and-take activities in the DI Hub and an interactive workshop in the Wick Poetry Center. 

On Saturday, the university encouraged students and families to attend the Legacy Tailgate before the Golden Flashes played Miami (OH) in a division-rival football game that afternoon. 

The university hosted the tailgate to celebrate current students’ loved ones for providing support to both their students and the university. In addition, current students with alumni family members received a pin in honor of their legacy. 

Even though the football team did not emerge victorious (the Flashes lost the matchup 23-3), the crowd of families was enthusiastic throughout. Despite the few family members who sported Miami red in the bleachers, most of the crowd was decked out in blue and gold to support the Golden Flashes. 

While tickets were limited, families also had the option of attending the Family Dessert Halftime Social, where they met with staff, played games and learned more about campus life. 

Although the family-friendly events planned by the university ended with the football game, many families chose to continue the weekend, in then-crowded downtown Kent, with a visit to one of its many restaurants.

Kayla Gleason is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].