Written by: Cole Edwards

Tell Mom and Dad they can quit calling and come visit instead. VSU will be hosting its annual Parent’s Weekend event Sept. 20-21.

Parent’s Weekend is a great opportunity for parents to spend time with their students on campus. The event allows parents to meet other parents as they join students, faculty and staff for a full weekend of barbecues, movies, football and more.

“Parent’s Weekend offers a great variety of activities that grow and change each year to keep parents wanting to come back,” Robin Vickery, director of Student Life, said.

The event kicks off Sept. 20 with a 6-7:30 p.m. check-in that will allow guests to pick up their registration materials, event passes and a campus map.

After check-in, a game night will be held in the Union Station. At 8 p.m., attendees have the opportunity to attend a fine-cuisine dinner and theatre performance at Bas Blue Brasserie. Tickets cost $40 for students and $50 for non-students and must be purchased through the College of the Arts Outreach Office at 229-333-2150.

Friday night’s activities will conclude with a 9 p.m. showing of “Man of Steel” in the Student Union Theater.

On Sept. 21, the day will start off with an Academic Expo at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Union. Faculty members and administrators from VSU and the Office of Academic Affairs will be on hand to provide information on resources and opportunities available to students.

There will be a special southern-style buffet of barbecued and fried chicken for lunch. The bookstore will also be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for visitors to purchase collegiate souvenirs.

Odum Library will also host library art tours featuring traditional and modern works by students and nationally known artists, and Nevins Hall will be running five planetarium shows exploring discoveries made by astronomers over the last four centuries.

This all leads to the fifth annual Blazer Walk at 5:30 p.m., where participants will greet members of the Blazer football team as they make their way to the stadium for the 7 p.m. game against the Shorter Hawks. Parents may purchase general admission tickets at http://vstateblazers.com and enter the code “parent” for a $5 discount.

There will also be an encore showing of “Man of Steel” at 9 p.m.

The registration fee for Parent’s Weekend is $25 for each participant. The fee covers all events in addition to lunch and a family photo button, but the dinner and theatre performance and football game cost extra.

The last chance to register is by 3 p.m. tomorrow. For more information, contact Robin Vickery of Student Life at 229-333-5674.