Parents & Families Engagement
Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend is a chance to experience some of the best of what ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University has to offer. Various campus partners will host a variety of events that will be included in your Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend registration fee. The schedule will be updated throughout the registration period as more details are added.
We do our very best to accommodate as many families as possible, but we are limited by venue capacities and safety regulations. Please read the schedule carefully and note any events that require a separate purchase beyond the registration fee or state a capacity limit.
Events will go on rain or shine, so please check the weather and plan accordingly. Fall weather in Ohio can be unpredictable – be prepared! 
Every year when we ask families to report the highlight of their KSU Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend experience, the top answer is spending time with family. No matter what you all choose to do with your time together – enjoy it!
Parents and Families Weekend will be held Sept. 25-26. This is a great time to visit and experience all that the campus has to offer. Several engaging family-friendly programs are planned for the weekend so families can enjoy the campus, create memories, and experience the pride and tradition of ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì.
Check-in will be held in the Pepsi Leadership Lounge located on the 2nd floor of the Kent Student Center from 3 - 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. Late check-in will be held in Eastway Hall from 8 - 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Many events are offered during the weekend and include school and college open houses, tours, presentations, family activities and events. Some activities require ticket purchases and include the Parents and Families Paint Night, Football game, and Aeronautics & Engineering Expo.
Families should have received an emailed invitation from Parents and Families Engagement in August. Otherwise, families may visit our Parents & Families Appreciation Weekend page to register.
Once you complete the registration page, you will be directed to the payment portal. Registrations are not final until payment has been rendered.
No, onsite registration will not be available.
Registration is required for all families.
Adult Ticket (Ages 18 and up) - $35.00
Youth Ticket (Ages 3-16) - $22.00
KSU Student Price – FREE
Children (2 and under) – FREE
The registration fee grants you access to many of the events taking place that weekend and include:
Access to all events unless otherwise noted.
Event lanyard and name badge.
Breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the football game for the entire family. Students are admitted free of charge.
The opportunity to purchase tickets to the Parents and Families Paint Night. Seating for this event is limited to the first 150 guests registered each day.
Discounted admission to the Aeronautics & Engineering Expo.
Parents & Families Appreciation Weekend is a self-funded event. Your registration fee covers the cost of overhead expenses, registration materials, staff, room and equipment rentals, technology fees, and the non-ticketed events and activities offered during the weekend. Event fees are kept to a minimum; the weekend is designed to assist with covering costs.
Yes. A confirmation email will be sent to the email used to register for the weekend. Please write to us at kentparents@kent.edu if confirmation has not been received within five business days. 
Yes, until September 4. After this date, requests for refunds will not be honored under no circumstances.
Yes, students can pick up Parents and Families Weekend materials at the registration site on Friday between 3 - 8 p.m. Students must show their Flashcard ID to pick up registration materials.
Each member of your party will receive a name badge that is required to wear for most events. Entry to the Football game and Parents and Families Paint Night requires a ticket purchased from the vendor. The disbursement of football game tickets will be handled through the Athletic Ticket Office. KSU Parents and Families Paint Night tickets will be handled by the artist.
Yes, all families must check in for Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend to receive important information and other items. We highly recommend that you send your student to check in your family should you be unable to. All they will need is their KSU ID and the name of the person who registered your family to check in.
Families are encouraged to arrive on the day that best fits their needs. Activities will be held Friday and Saturday.
Please visit our Plan Your Stay page for more information.
Several options will be available for families arriving on Saturday and include breakfast, football game, Aeronautics & Engineering Expo, college open houses and more! The Fashion Museum and May 4 Visitors Center will also be open.
You may park in the Visitor’s Lot located on Summit St. in front of the Kent Student Center on Friday. Parking locations are located along Summit Street for Saturday. Please view . You may park in any of the highlighted areas regardless of its color. There is no charge on Friday or during the weekend.
The City of Kent has several activities that your family can enjoy. Here is a list of , , and . You can also purchase tickets for the football game and attend the Aeronautics & Engineering Expo.
Please contact kentparents@kent.edu to let us know if you or a family member has any dietary restrictions or needs.
ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University is a large campus and Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend guests may be required to travel longer physical distances and stand at events. If someone in your party is in need of a wheelchair or other mobility equipment, please make arrangements ahead of time to bring equipment with you or to rent equipment from a local vendor. ADA parking is available in various lots across campus with any ADA parking permit. If you need additional assistance, please let us know at kentparents@kent.edu.
Your ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì student is invited to attend all Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend events with the family. Anyone can attend the Black Squirrel Festival and football game however, registration is required to attend the Parents and Families Paint Night and Aeronautics & Engineering Expo.
The Parents and Families Weekend website will post a detailed list of events and their descriptions. It is recommended that guests review the events closely before registration, to ensure they are aware of all the events scheduled.
Football tickets will be emailed directly to the individual that made the reservation. For more information, contact the Athletic Office at (330) 672-4455 or email Athletictickets@kent.edu. ADA accessibility and seating are available. All persons that require ADA accessible seating for ticketed athletic events should purchase General Admission tickets. Assistance will be available to direct the individuals to the proper seating areas upon arrival at the event.
A confirmation will be emailed upon purchase. A check-in sheet will also be available at the event registration table.
Registration is highly encouraged. Registering for the event ensures that families receive the discounted price of $10 per family/car. For more information, visit our events and activities page.