{"id":6371,"date":"2017-08-15T12:46:13","date_gmt":"2017-08-15T17:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/news\/?p=6371"},"modified":"2017-10-06T14:36:35","modified_gmt":"2017-10-06T19:36:35","slug":"sau-expects-massive-turnout-2017-family-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/news\/2017\/sau-expects-massive-turnout-2017-family-day\/","title":{"rendered":"SAU expects massive turnout for 2017 Family Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s Family Day promises to be the biggest ever,\u201d Berry said. \u201cWe were blown away at last year\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

SAU is preparing for large crowds. \u201cOrganizers 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,\u201d Berry said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>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\u2019s Residence Hall Association Bed Race will again take place in front of the Science Center.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Visitor tailgating will be available in the lawn at Childs Hall, with restrooms open inside the building.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>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\u2019s games, bingo, a family photo booth, and an exhibition of many of SAU\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Please see the complete schedule below for more Family Day activities.<\/p>\n