Around 6,500 people are expected for Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, making the event possibly the largest Southern Arkansas University will host on campus this year, Dr. Trey Berry, president, said.

“This year’s Family Day promises to be the biggest ever,” Berry said. “We were blown away at last year’s Family Day festivities and attendance. We think the football game attendance, estimated at around 6,200, was probably an all-time record for Wilkins Stadium. This year we face Harding University, so we are planning for around 6,500.”

SAU is preparing for large crowds. “Organizers are more than doubling food for the Family Reception, which is in the Engineering Building starting at 2 p.m. Also, more lines will be open to enter Wilkins Stadium from the Alumni Bridge for the Mulegaters,” Berry said.

Family Day will offer fun activities and honor SAU traditions before culminating in Mulerider football. The annual Great Greek Canoe Races will take place at the pond in front of the SAU Engineering Building, and this year’s Residence Hall Association Bed Race will again take place in front of the Science Center.

Mulegating guests will get a sneak peek at the Alumni Center, with the Lusby Pavilion being open with tables and chairs and the interior of the Center open for restrooms and some seating.

The SAU Bookstore in the Reynolds Center will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for those who would like to purchase Mulerider gear or memorabilia. A Mulerider trailer will also sell items at the football game.

Visitor tailgating will be available in the lawn at Childs Hall, with restrooms open inside the building.

Guests will be able to enjoy the new video scoreboard at Wilkins Stadium, the expanded Kids Zone behind the scoreboard, and the return of the Rowdy Corral Student Center in the new bleacher area behind the south end zone.

Family Day kicks off at 11 a.m. with the Organizational Fair on the lawn between Blanchard (formerly the Business Building) and the Science Center. The Fair will include children’s games, bingo, a family photo booth, and an exhibition of many of SAU’s student organizations. The 37th Annual Bed Races begins at 1 p.m., and is always a crowd favorite. The Canoe Races start at 3:30 p.m., and Mulegating begins at 4 p.m. on the Alumni Center Lawn.

Please see the complete schedule below for more Family Day activities.

• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Organizational Fair (lawn between Blanchard and Science Center)
• Noon Bed-race beds report to Science Center
• 1 p.m. 37th Annual Residence Hall Association Bed Races
• 2 p.m. Family Reception (Engineering Building)
• 3:30 p.m. Great Greek Canoe Races (Engineering pond)
• 4 p.m. Mulegating/Free Family Picnic (Alumni Center lawn)
• 6 p.m. Mulerider Football (SAU vs. Harding)