Tour the Gordon Gallery (Pew Campus)

During ArtPrize, the Gordon Gallery will be open for extra hours! Visit us for a tour of work by artist Mathias Alten. Take a moment to relax surrounded by art and air conditioning, and then make sure to check out the GVSU ArtPrize entry located outside of Eberhard Center.

In the Gordon Gallery, your group will explore works by Grand Rapids artist Mathias Alten in An Evolving Legacy . Your group also has the option to go upstairs to visit Real and Imagined: Interpreting the Michigan Landscape. This exhibition features work by both Alten and other artists, such as Armand Merizon, Stephen Duren, and Alynn Guerra, who explore the state of Michigan through paper, paint, and ink. 

Tours are scheduled for one hour on every hour from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.. Your group does not need to stay for the entirety of this time. If you have a group of larger than 20 people, please contact Learning and Outreach Manager Jessica Sundstrom at [email protected]. If you have any issues creating a booking online, please contact Jessica Sundstrom.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Pew Campus

Zine 101 Workshop

Open to all ages, join us for Zines 101 to learn the history and basics of Zines.

A zine (pronounced ZEEN) is a self-published, non-commercial print work that allows you to communicate and think in new ways. There are a range of production and binding methods to create pamphlet-like publications that can include text, artwork, found objects, or any other creative material that helps communicate your message.

Here are just a few ideas of what you can create a zine about:

• A time in your life
• Family history
• Something you're passionate about
• Your art
• So much more!!!

Bring your idea to zine and we will provide the supplies and support to get you started in creating. This event is free to attend.

 RSVP for this event 

2 - 3:30 p.m.

Pew Campus
Richard M. DeVos Center (DEV) at 401 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI

Drop-in Art Gallery Tour

Head to the Art Gallery for a drop-in tour of A Single Thread: Being Latinx in West Michigan. Learn more about this exhibition and the featured artists. 

Registration appreciated but not required!

RSVP for the Gallery Tour

3-4 p.m.

Allendale Performing Arts Center - Art Gallery

Family Weekend Kickoff Party with President Mantella!

Kick off Family Weekend in style! Explore the Laker Resource Fair, hear from President Mantella, and enjoy giveaways, special appearances, and activities for little Lakers. Experience an electrifying dueling pianos show, picnic dinner, desserts from local food trucks, and refreshing drinks. This is a fantastic opportunity for students, parents, supporters, friends, and family members to come together and celebrate the Laker spirit!

Registration for this event is now closed. We hope to see you next year!

9/20
5-8 p.m.

Kirkhof Center Lawn 

2024 NPHC Yardshow

Join us for an exciting celebration of culture, tradition, and unity at the 2024 NPHC Yardshow! The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities will showcase their unique histories, identities, and talents through electrifying performances of stepping, strolling, and saluting. This event highlights the pride and spirit of our historically Black Greek Letter Organizations and is open to the entire GVSU community. Come support our organizations, meet members of NPHC, and experience the energy of a time-honored tradition. Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening of entertainment and community!

9/20 5 p.m.

Kleiner Basketball Court

Volleyball Game: GVSU vs. Ferris State University

Purchase Tickets

6 p.m.

Allendale Fieldhouse Arena

Improv Comedy Show hosted by Subject to Change

Subject to Change exists to bring laughter through improvisational comedy and aiming to create a strong, safe community for those who love to laugh and have fun! 

8:30 p.m.

Kirkhof Center 2204 - Pere Marquette Room

ArtPrize 

ArtPrize® is an independent international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It celebrates artists working in all mediums from anywhere in the world. Learn more about the GVSU installment near Eberhard Center, and learn more about the event by visiting the ArtPrize website.

through 9/28

Grand Rapids – various locations

Biking and Walking Routes

Take advantage of a variety of biking and walking routes and tour our campuses! Visit the RecWell website for more information and route maps.

Dawn - dusk

Allendale and Pew Campus

Introduction to Programs on the Health Campus and Tours of Health Campus Facilities

Join us on the Health Campus in downtown Grand Rapids on the Medical Mile for a brief overview of the 20+ programs provided by the College of Health Professions and Kirkhof College of Nursing followed by tours of lab spaces of the three buildings that comprise the health campus:  Cook DeVos Center for Health Science (CHS), Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RFH), and DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health (DCIH). Our state-of-the art simulation center is included in this tour which houses an operating room, anatomage table, plastinated specimens, virtual reality simulation rooms, high fidelity mannequins and much more. Parking will be available in guest parking under the DCIH building.

8:30 a.m.                                Welcome and outline of morning and overview of programs

9:15 a.m.                                Tours begin

11   a.m.                                 Event concludes

Once registered for event, parking instructions and map will be provided. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Register for the Health Campus Tour

 9/21
8:30 -11 a.m.

Health Campus - Downtown Grand Rapids

Breakfast Food Trucks

Roasted Red's

9/21 8 - 10 a.m.

Allendale - Carillon Clock Tower

Artist Chat and Collage Creation

Stop by the Art Gallery to enjoy music, tours, and art activities. Join us at 10 a.m. to listen to and interact with Reyna Garcia, who will discuss their artwork on display in A Single Thread: Being Latinx in West Michigan . Garcia will then lead a drop-in collage creation that explores resilience and identity from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. This art-making activity is designed for everyone  — no special art skills necessary!

9/21
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Allendale Performing Arts Center - Art Gallery

2024 Family Weekend Fun(d) Run

Join GVSU Recreation & Wellness for this annual Family Weekend event! This year's event will feature a 2-mile course for friends and family to celebrate Laker Sprit with a tour through the Allendale campus. This event welcomes individuals of all ages, abilities and experience levels.

Register for the Fun(d) Run

 9/21
9a.m.-12p.m.

Allendale - Kirkhof Lawn

Tie-Dye Event

Join us to create some groovy, colorful creations during this fun tie-dye event hosted by the LGBT Resource Center.

9/21
10 a.m. - noon

Kirkhof Lawn

Greenhouse Open House

Come experience the joy of the Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse. We will have FREE plants for the first 150 visitors! We are looking forward to sharing our beautiful space with you! 

9/21 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Allendale campus - Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse
2241 Kindschi Hall of Science

Laker Store Deals

Limited-Edition Family Day Apparel:

All Royal Blue & All Just $10!

• Long-Sleeve Tee
• Women’s Tee
• Youth Tee

Stop by the Laker Store for all of your Laker gear. Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. 

View store hours

Allendale campus - Laker Store

Military Duck Pound Carnival Game

Military & Veterans Resource Center will be hosting Vet’s Duck Pound from 11-12 by the carillon clock tower! Come try your luck and win prizes: Candy, stickers, glow in the dark frisbees, and ducks!

9/21
11 a.m. - noon

Allendale campus - Cook Carillon Clock Tower

Letters to Loved Ones

Hosted by GV's Resident Assistants, supporters and students are invited to stop by to write and decorate a postcard to a GVSU student of their choice. Housing and Residentce Life staff will deliver these special messages to students the following week!

9/21 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Dish common area

Family Weekend Carillon Concert
This fall, GVSU will be hosting a Carillon Concert Series to celebrate the Carillon Tower’s 30^th anniversary in Allendale, and the first one in the series takes place during Family Weekend! This 45 minute concert will demonstrate the magnificence of this instrument, which also serves as an iconic landmark on the GVSU campus. Students and the Laker community are invited to enjoy the bells of the carillon during this picnic-style event. You'll hear familiar tunes that just might take you by surprise! Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy food, beverages, and dessert from local food trucks — or pack your own picnic, and enjoy the concert with fellow Lakers!

Learn more about the Carillon Concert Series

9/21
Noon - 1 p.m.

Allendale campus - Cook Carillon Clocktower 

Student Small Business Market

Support student small business owners by checking out some of their remarkable and creative shops! From jewelry, to handmade art, to vintage clothing, these students will more than impress you the wide array of options for purchase!

9/21
Noon - 3 p.m.

Allendale campus - Kirkhof Lawn

Volleyball Game: GVSU  vs. Davenport

Purchase Volleyball Game Tickets

9/21 3 p.m.

Allendale Fieldhouse Arena

General Tailgating

Lot C opens for general tailgating.

9/21
4 p.m.

Allendale Campus - Lot C

Replenish FUNraiser

Join us for the Replenish FUNraiser, a carnival-themed tailgate event in honor of September’s Hunger Action Month! Hosted by GVSU’s Gayle R. Davis Center for Women & Gender Equity (CWGE), this event supports the three Replenish Basic Needs Centers that provide essential food and personal care items to students facing short-term challenges.

Activities: Enjoy carnival games, professional face painting, photo opportunities, popcorn, cotton candy, and more! There will also be giveaways and opportunities to learn how you can get involved with Replenish through volunteering, hosting food drives, or making donations.

Why Attend? Replenish is a vital resource for GVSU students, offering food and necessities to help alleviate financial stress and improve overall health and academic performance. Your participation and donations make a significant impact in supporting this self-sustained service.

How to Help: Bring donations of non-perishable food and basic needs items or contribute through monetary donations onsite (cash/check/online contributions will be accepted).

9/21 4 - 6 p.m.

Tailgating Area

Family Weekend Alumni Tailgate

Celebrate Laker Family Weekend at the Alumni Tailgate. Prior to the GVSU Family Day football game kick off, Laker Legacy families (alumni who have children or grandchildren currently attending Grand Valley) are invited to tailgate with fellow alumni on the Alumni House Visitor Center front lawn. Enjoy food and beverages, special Laker Legacy giveaways, and yard games!

RSVP by September 19

9/21 4 - 7 p.m.

Alumni House & Visitor Center

Football Game: GVSU Lakers vs. Wisconsin-La Crosse

Purchase Football Game Tickets  $20 Family Day Football T-shirt

9/21
7 p.m.

Allendale campus - Lubbers Stadium

Biking and Walking Routes

Take advantage of a variety of biking and walking routes and tour our campuses! Visit the RecWell website for more information and route maps.

Dawn - dusk

Allendale and Pew Campuses

ArtPrize 

ArtPrize® is an independent international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It celebrates artists working in all mediums from anywhere in the world. Learn more about the GVSU installment near Eberhard Center, and learn more about the event by visiting the ArtPrize website.

through 9/28

Grand Rapids - various locations

Golf Outing: Laker Dance Team 15th Annual Golf Outing

Located at Meadows Golf Course, $100 per golfer includes 18 holes, golf carts, a luncheon, raffle prizes, and more!

Register here!

8 a.m.

Meadows Golf Course

ArtPrize® 

ArtPrize® is an independent international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It celebrates artists working in all mediums from anywhere in the world. Learn more about the GVSU installment near Eberhard Center, and learn more about the event by visiting the ArtPrize website.

through 9/28

Grand Rapids - various locations

Biking and Walking Routes

Take advantage of a variety of biking and walking routes and tour our campuses! Visit the RecWell website for more information and route maps.

Dawn - dusk

Allendale and Pew Campuses