Meet Alison Leach! Alison serves as the Assistant Director of Parent & Family Programs and has been at the University of Arkansas for five years. Her favorite University of Arkansas tradition is singing “Oh Lord It’s Hard to Be Humble” after Razorback wins!
Family Weekend is a great opportunity to visit with your student and explore all of the wonderful attractions, restaurants, and nature the city of Fayetteville (and surrounding areas) has to offer. While we have a ton of events and activities to keep you involved throughout the weekend, make sure to sneak in some time with your student. With a later kick-off this year, Saturday morning is a perfect opportunity for some quality family time before you cheer on the Razorbacks to victory! Check out some possible ideas below:
Take a Tour of Campus
Sure you probably took a tour when your student was looking at colleges in high school, but so much has changed! Whether you go on the guided tour at 2:00 pm led by our Parent Ambassadors or an informal tour with your student, you are bound to learn some of the history and traditions of the University. Encourage your student to tell you about their residence hall, their classes, and other favorite spots on campus.
Grab a Good Meal
With the Tailgate Party starting at 3:00 pm on Saturday, we definitely don’t want you to be too full to miss out on the BBQ provided by Chartwells, but since Fayetteville is known for it’s amazing restaurants, you will probably want to check out the local food scene! If you decide on a late breakfast, consider the Farmer’s Table, Common Grounds, Little Bread Company, or Arsaga’s. If you are looking for a light lunch, consider Shulertown, Fayetteville’s food truck market off of Dickson Street, Hammontree’s, or Hugo’s. You could always ask your student to take you to one of their favorites too! More restaurants are also listed in our Guidebook app!
Check out the Fayetteville Farmers Market
The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market occurs every Saturday from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm around the historic Fayetteville Square during the months of April to November. Known as the Crown Jewel of Fayetteville, the Farmers’ Market hosts up to seventy vendors, street performers, and local musicians. Vendors not only sell produce but also handmade crafts and other products. It is a wonderful way to spend the morning!
Explore
Fayetteville has tons of attractions that you and your family can explore together. If you are into the outdoors, consider a morning hike at Devil’s Den or watching the sunrise at Mount Sequoyah. If art is more your thing, consider visiting Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Another good option is the birthplace of Walmart, Walton’s 5 – 10, in Bentonville, Arkansas. Wherever you end up, make sure to take some pictures and share them with us in the Guidebook app, for an opportunity to win giveaways!
Shop
Maybe your student is missing some necessities for their residence hall or you want to get some new Razorback swag for the game—Family Weekend is a great time to do that! Students have settled down a bit since moving (back) on campus, so they will have an idea of what they might be missing and/or need. If you are looking for something Razorback related, definitely check out the University of Arkansas Bookstore! They have awesome memorabilia and they have provided a 25% coupon for all Family Weekend participants on the Family Weekend schedule (given out at Check-In). So even if you have a closet full of Razorback Red, stop by and take a look! Lastly, you can shop your heart out at the Family Weekend Silent Auction. We have over 20 items for you to bid on and all proceeds go to PPA Book Scholarships, which are awarded each spring.
Regardless of what is on the agenda for you, I hope that you have a wonderful time visiting your student on the Hill. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy yourself as you experience Fayetteville!