With Parents Weekend looming just around the corner, most students are beginning to eye the monstrous pile of dirty clothes and the mess accumulating in their dorm or living room. If bearing down and cleaning seems just too awful to face, there is another option. Students can give the parents little time to criticize the chaos by keeping them busy. Luckily, many activities are planned this weekend for just that purpose. Students can give them the right impression by not going out on Friday night and spending some quality family time together carving pumpkins. At the Baker Center from 7-9 p.m. on October 23^rd, students have the chance to carve out a big O-U to send home with mom and dad so they remember the fun-filled weekend with their favorite kid.

Students should try to ignore the frequent texts describing the nearest party and walk the family over to Ping Center instead. Some good, old-fashioned Halloween fun will be had. Planet Ping will be entertaining people of all ages between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., providing hay rides, games, a bonfire, a hypnotist, prizes and the ever-enticing free food. The entertainment is free for Ping members and$6 for non-members.

For those who love the fresh morning air, head to Ping bright and early on Saturday, Oct. 24th, to join the Family Weekend 5K Walk/Run. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. Though registration is free, money or food donations to support the Athens County Food Bank are encouraged.

The second annual Rise n’ Shine with the ‘Rents Breakfast will be held the same morning at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at the Baker Center Ballroom for hungry runners or students and parents who aren’t out as early. The breakfast, sponsored by the Ohio University Program Council (UPC) and the Dean of Students Office, costs $7 for students and $10 for non-students. The menu consists of scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage links, hash browns and fresh fruit. Students can get on the parents’ good side by starting the morning right with the most important meal of the day.

A variety of other activities are available all day, including cornhole tournaments, a daytime hiking trip to Old Man’s Cave and museum tours to help keep the family fun going.  Students should not forget to stop by Peden Stadium at 2 p.m. to watch Ohio football take on Kent State and cheer the Bobcats to victory.

After the game, take the excitement to the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium for the biggest event of the night. Set up by the UPC, Ben Bailey, a celebrated comedian of 10 years and the host of the popular television show “Cash Cab,” will be performing at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24th. Tickets can be found by going to the UPC Web site, http://www.ohio.edu/orgs/upc/events/specialevents.html, or by calling the ticket office at 740-593-1780. Tickets are also on sale at the Auditorium. Do not miss a great show, and order tickets as soon as possible.

Students and their parents can wrap up the evening by taking the family to a movie, “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.” The movie starts at 9 p.m. and costs $1, cheap enough to take the family out.

After the family decides to head home on Sunday, exchange hugs and kisses, wave goodbye and head back to the dorm. Contemplate doing the homework for the week, feeling confident the family has enjoyed an entertaining weekend and knows their son or daughter has adjusted to college life.

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