Parents Weekend: Out, Griff Weekend: In

By:  Hannah Wiley, Assistant Features Editor 

This weekend, what was formerly known as “Parents Weekend” is back, revamped and reintroduced as Griff Weekend! Now, instead of being parents and active students, the weekend will consist of new events open to alumni, faculty and staff!

Lauren Orlowski, the Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, is an integral part of planning Griff Weekend and determining how to integrate alumni into the events, while keeping aspects of both the new and former weekends going strong. The original idea was to allow a time for alumni to be on campus at the same time as active students in order to bridge the gap between the two groups. “We really wanted one memorable experience that could really celebrate and unite our campus community,” Orlowski said. Griff Weekend is expected to have 900+ people on campus, 500 of which are alumni! 

Griff Weekend has been in the works for over a year, “it’s been a labor of love in many ways, with working with all of our internal partners, like event services, faculties, Chartwells, but also we’ve received incredible support externally,” Orlowski said. Some sponsors of Griff Weekend include the Buffalo Sabres, Morgan Stanley, and Independent Health. The Office of Alumni Engagement also wanted to expand and make active students aware of their services before they’ve already graduated; and Griff Weekend is a way for them to build relationships within the alumni network, as well as the active student community on campus. 

Formerly known as the “Tent Party,” the renamed event, the Blue and Gold Bash, is a favorite for alumni, as well as faculty and staff. The event is held in the dining hall and features a live band, whose front man is a Canisius alumni himself! There will also be a photo booth, food, and beverages, staying true to the signature alumni event it's always been! 

If you were worried that the death of Parents Weekend meant Fall Fest went down with it, never fear. Fall Fest is back and better than ever! Fan favorite food trucks, like Dirty Bird, are back, with the addition of new trucks like Buffalo’s Best. The carnival games are back, too, so “people can play ring toss to their heart's content” said Jason Francey, the Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development (SELD). We all know people love free stuff, so this year's free give away is a baseball tee that says “Once a Griff, Always a Griff.” 

SELD is also holding a family movie night in the quad outside of Palisano on Friday, Sept. 27, complete with bingo and waffles on a stick, and of course, a viewing of Shrek. Plus, following Fall Fest on Saturday, Montante will host John Cassidy – a comedy magician that “does weird things with balloons,” Francey also said. He also wanted to add that those are John’s words, not his. 

For all you sports fanatics out there, C-Block is also holding their second annual tailgate starting at 11 a.m on Saturday, prior to the Women’s Volleyball game against Siena at 12 p.m., and the Women’s Soccer game against Rider at 1 p.m. There will be two food trucks there. “The Great Aussie Bite will have a burger and chicken burger option and Cheesy Chick will have grilled cheese,” said Brandon Gaspar, President of the C-Block Student Section. There will also be drinks, fries, and chips. Athletics will be selling merchandise, and after their practice, Women’s Basketball will be doing a poster signing during their Shoot-A-Thon at 4 p.m.

Although we have to say goodbye to Parents Weekend, it seems like Griff Weekend will be a perfect replacement! Remember to have fun at all the events and that it’s always a great day to be a Griff!