Family with Wu

Family Weekend

October 4-5, 2024

Bring your families to campus for a fun filled weekend at Wichita State University! Family Weekend includes events and activities that family and friends can choose to participate in at their own leisure. 

Families who register by Sunday, Sept. 22 will receive a welcome bag, participant shirts, and access to exclusive Shocker family experiences.

Families who have not registered by Sunday, Sept. 22 may register on-site beginning Friday, Oct. 4. On-site registration will include a welcome packet and meal vouchers. Shirts may be available for purchase while supplies last.

About Family Weekend


How do I register to attend Family Weekend?

Families may register on-site Friday & Saturday at the designated check-in stations.

  • Friday, October 4 | Check-in & Patio Party | 4:30 – 7 p.m. | Braeburn Square
  • Saturday, October 5 | Check-in & Information Center | 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Rhatigan Student Center – Information Desk

Families registered by Sunday, September 22 will receive a welcome bag, participant shirts, and access to exclusive Shocker family experiences.

 

ON-SITE REGISTRATION RATES PER PERSON
Registration Dates WSU Student(s) Adult Guests
Ages 13 and Up
Youth Guests
Ages 12 and under

FULL WEEKEND REGISTRATION
Includes Oct. 4-5

  • Meal passes for all registered family members at the Patio Party (Friday)
  • Admission to the President's Garden Tour
  • Saturday breakfast available for purchase at the door
  • All other Friday & Saturday events are free to attend
  • Shirts are not included and may be available for purchase while supplies last
Free $12 $8

SINGLE DAY REGISTRATION - FRIDAY, OCT 4

  • Meal passes for all registered family members at the Patio Party (Friday)
  • Admission to the President's Garden Tour (Saturday)
  • Saturday breakfast available for purchase at the door 
  • All other Friday & Saturday events are free to attend
  • Shirts are not included and may be available for purchase while supplies last
Free $12 $8

SINGLE DAY REGISTRATION - SATURDAY, OCT 5

  • Saturday breakfast available for purchase at the door 
  • Admission to the President's Garden Tour (Saturday)
  • All other Friday & Saturday events are free to attend
  • Shirts are not included and may be available for purchase while supplies last
Free Free Free
CLOSED ---- ADVANCE REGISTRATION RATES PER PERSON ---- CLOSED
Registration Dates WSU Student(s) Adult Guests
Ages 13 and Up
Youth Guests
Ages 12 and under

FULL WEEKEND REGISTRATION
Includes Oct. 4-5

  • Meal passes for all family members at the Patio Party
  • Meal passes for breakfast on Saturday morning
  • Admission to the President's Garden Tour (Saturday)
  • All other Friday & Saturday events are free to attend
  • Shirts for all registered youth and adult family members
Free $25 $12

SINGLE DAY REGISTRATION
Choose Oct. 4-5

  • Meal passes for either the Patio Party (Friday) or the Breakfast (Saturday)
  • Admission to the President's Garden Tour (Saturday only)
  • All other Friday & Saturday events are free to attend
  • Shirts for all registered youth and adult family members
Free $15 $8
 
What is the schedule?

What to expect?

  • Family Weekend kicks off at Braeburn Square with a patio party and check-in at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.
  • The 2024 Family Weekend is part of our annual celebration of Shocker Pride, Shocktoberfest. Saturday activities will include a parade, brew garden, entrepreneur market and Shocker Madness!

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

Check-in & Patio Party
4:30 – 7 p.m. | Braeburn Square
Registered families can check-in at the Patio Party and will receive a custom Family Weekend shopping tote. Dinner is included with registration, and families will receive a dinner voucher to be used at participating restaurants.

Shocker Baseball Scrimmage
6 p.m. | Eck Stadium
Free Admission

Outdoor Movie: Disney's "Cars"
8 p.m. | Cessna Stadium
Free Admission

Join us at the historical Cessna Stadium for a special viewing of Disney Pixars family classic, "Cars." Bring your blankets and camp chairs and make yourself comfortable on the field. Popcorn will be provided and outside snacks are welcome. About the film: "Cars" is set in a world populated entirely by anthropomorphic vehicles. The film follows a selfish and arrogant young racecar named Lightning McQueen who, on the way to the most important race of his life, becomes stranded in a forgotten town along U.S. Route 66 called Radiator Springs, where he learns about friendship and begins to reevaluate his priorities.


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

Check-in & Information Center
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Rhatigan Student Center – Information Desk
Need to check-in or have questions about an upcoming Family Weekend activity? Stop by the RSC Info desk for help.

Breakfast at Shocker Hall Dining
8-11 a.m. | Shocker Hall Cafeteria
Breakfast is included in registration and includes a waffle station, omelet station, and other specialty items for our family members and guests.

Entrepreneur Market
9 a.m. - noon | Woolsey Hall
Free Admission
The inaugural Entrepreneur Market will highlight the many diverse small businesses in our community run by alumni, students and friends! Browse market stalls in Woolsey Hall throughout the morning to explore unique creations while supporting local businesses.

President's Garden Tour
10 a.m. - noon | The President's Residence
Join us at the residence of President Richard Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case for light refreshments and a self-guided walking tour of the properties gardens. Enjoy walking on the grounds of this home built in 1939. The front lawns have been the site of many university outdoor events throughout the years. The president and first gentleman enjoy gardening and hosting visitors in the beautiful, landscaped areas around the residence. 

Honors Induction Ceremony
1:00 p.m. | Wilner Auditorium
Induction welcomes new honors students into the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College. The dress is casual or business casual with Shocker colors encouraged. We ask students to RSVP for themselves and their guests by filling out this form.
 
Honors College Open House
1:30 - 3 p.m. | Honors College - Shocker Hall Building A
All Cohen Honors College Families are invited to the Honors College Open House. Enjoy music, light refreshments, and conversations with our faculty and staff.
 
Brew Garden + Fan Fest
2 - 6 p.m. | Koch Arena East Lot, 2K & 2E

Free admission

Enjoy an afternoon on-campus filled with beverages from your favorite local vendors. The Shocktoberfest Brew Garden + Fan Fest, in partnership with Shocker Athletics, will fill the alley and parking lot east of Koch Arena with music, breweries, food trucks and fun activities for the whole family!

Shocktoberfest Parade
4 p.m. | Viewing area north of Hubbard Lawn
 

Everyone is invited to attend the 2024 Shocktoberfest Parade, the highlight of the weeklong celebration of Shocker spirit and pride. Participants will enjoy entertainment from the Shocker Sound Machine marching band, dance teams, and decorated cars and floats from student groups and community members. 

For the best parade experience, grab a spot along Innovation Boulevard, Mike Oatman Drive, or Perimeter Road. 

 

Shocker Madness
6 p.m. | Charles Koch Arena
The final event of Shocktoberfest and Family Weekend is Shocker Madness! The event features on-court activities, pictures with Wu, the presentation of Shocktoberfest spirit winners, Royalty announcements, and presentations of the 2024 men's and women's athletic teams.

Do I need to buy tickets to athletic events?

As part of Family Weekend, families are invited to cheer on our Shocker athletes.

  • Shocker Baseball Scrimmage on Friday, Oct. 4. Free admission
  • Volleyball on Sunday, Oct. 6. Tickets at the doors. Free admission for students with a Shocker ID. 

Student tickets to Shocker Athletic events are free and all tickets may be picked up at the specific venue on game day.

Who can attend Family Weekend?

Family Weekend is not only for families of first-year students, and it’s definitely not just for parents. All families, extended families, grade school siblings and supporters are welcome to join us!

Should I surprise my student?

Students are typically eager for a visit from home by this time in the semester. They may be tired, overwhelmed, or stressed and in need of some family time. By late September, students are generally settled in and have a regular routine. Ask them to take you to their favorite study spot or explore a nearby restaurant they've been wanting to try.

Make sure to discuss your student’s schedule for the weekend in advance. Classes are still in session on Friday and your student may have a study group, work, or student organization activities already on their calendar. 

Who do I contact for accommodations?

If a guest attending Family Weekend requires specific accommodations, such as a wheelchair, please contact our office to work through arrangements.

We strive to ensure there are ample options for various dietary needs at Family Weekend events. Dining menus and options on campus generally include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free food options. Please contact us for additional meal accommodations.

Contact us for accommodations

 
Shocktoberfest Logo

Shocktoberfest

Shocktoberfest is Wichita State's annual celebration of Shocker Pride! Since 1991, Shockers of all ages have come together at WSU for events, competitions, and an immense amount of Shocker energy. This year we have added Family Weekend to our schedule of events to enhance the Shocker Experience and create a stronger connection to campus for our family members near and far. The official Family Weekend schedule has already been enhanced with all the Shocktoberfest offerings and we can't wait to see you on campus.

Sept. 30 - Oct. 5, 2024

Additional Information

photo of Freddy's in the RSC
At Wichita State, dining is as diverse as it is delicious. With options available on and off campus—early or late—a meal, snack or caffeine fix is always within reach.
Parking
Parking on-campus will be free for Family Weekend and Shocktoberfest visitors beginning Friday afternoon. Click the parking link to view our interactive parking map.
photo of the Shocker Store
Stop by our Rhatigan Student Center or Braeburn Square location for all your Shocker gear needs!
Shock Stop graphic
Wichita State University has teamed up with local businesses to form Shock Stop, a university discount program. Students, faculty, staff and innovation partners with a valid Shocker ID can receive a minimum 10 percent discount at participating merchants.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport terminal

Flying
The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is the closest commercial airport to WSU. All necessary hotel accommodations for out-of-town guests should be made early to guarantee reservations.

Driving
Wichita is centrally located in the State of Kansas and is located off of I-135, I-35, and K-96.

Rendering of the Hyatt Place Hotel at Wichita State University

The Hyatt Place at Wichita State University is a brand new facility with more than 100 guest rooms including standard king and double rooms, suites with kitchenettes and accessible accommodations located on the 1st floor. Reach out to Hyatt Place at Wichita State University to arrange your families stay.

wellness room graphic

Wichita State University has received designation as Breastfeeding Welcome Here campus. This designation recognizes WSU as a supportive environment for all Shockers to reach their breastfeeding goals through providing accessible spaces throughout the main and satellite campus locations.

Newsletter

Shocker Family Programs partner with students’ families to help them thrive at WSU, on campus and in life. We strive to welcome, connect, and refer families to the resources they need to ensure their students succeed.