Sacred Heart University hosted its 17th annual family weekend from Oct. 26-28 and as always, was jam-packed.

"The Student Life Office has been diligently working on the plans for your weekend. We are looking forward to meeting all of our students' parents and family members," said Denise Tiberio, Associate Dean of Students, in the family weekend pamphlet.

A weekend with musically themed events ranging from Johnny Cash, to Journey, made this family weekend stand out from the rest," said Courtney Weaver, junior, Queensberry, N.Y.

Kicking off the first night of family weekend on Friday, Oct. 26, students and their family members were provided with the options of attending a showing at Sacred Heart's Art Gallery, followed by a wine and cheese party and sounding off the night with Beatlemania The Tribute, in the Edgerton Center of Performing Arts.

"Being involved in putting this weekend together made me realize how excited I actually am for all of it. The bar has been raised and there are going to be so many cool and fun events," said Weaver.

"The music theme is something that students and their families can relate to; it is going to be great."

"My parents and I usually don't agree with the type of music we each listen to, but I saw what kind they were going to base the weekend around and I think we may actually be able to agree on something for once; this should be interesting," said Erin Haynes, freshman, Nashua, N.H.

On Saturday, Oct. 27 the William H. Pitt Center was filled with parents and students talking, laughing and showing some Pioneer pride in their red and white Sacred Heart attire.

With hay rides, face painters, food and football, the tailgate party, which was offered to all ages in attendance, was something Janay Cohen, freshman, Torrington did not want to miss.

"My parents got to see what it's like to go to school here, especially on a Saturday with the big game. Since it's my first year here, I definitely wanted them to see what my school is really like and show to them that I enjoy myself here," said Cohen.

With great prizes to be won, Bingo was held in the Mahogany Room and followed by dinner at restaurant of your choice.

After dinner, there was another show at the Edgerton Theatre by Toxic Audio who performed acts ranging from "the musicality of Movin' Out, the comedy of the Blue Man Group, and the percussive explosion of Stomp," as stated in the family weekend pamphlet.

The weekend may have been coming to an end soon, but not before a night of sweet treats in the dining hall full of desserts and coffee.

Although this weekend may seem geared toward freshman and their parents experiencing the new activities and events provided by the university, Nicole Gomes, junior, Waterbury, has had her parents come each year to participate in the fun filled weekend.

"My parents have come up for the weekend since I was a freshman and even though we don't go to every single event the school puts on, we go out to dinner, see other friend's families and it's always a good time when they come up," said Gomes.

On Sunday, Oct. 28, after the family/parent mass and brunch, both held at the Pitt Center, the 2007 family weekend came to an end.

"Family weekend is an excellent opportunity for our students families to get a taste of college life at Sacred Heart," said Tiberio. "Almost every event this weekend was sold out, making it a great success."