This year’s Family Weekend is just a few days away! With sports games, tailgates, comedy shows, and more, the weekend is full of family fun activities. The familial festivities begin on Friday. From 2 p.m.- 5 p.m. at the Memorial Union, there will be a Welcome Gathering. All students and their families are welcome to attend.
Looking for some entertainment? Our very own theatre department will be putting on the show Pride and Prejudice in the Fine Arts Center. There will be performances both Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. This is a great way to appreciate the talent within URI’s student body, while enjoying a relaxing night of theatre. For tickets and more information, check out this link. Want some family competition? The Memorial Union will be hosting a Bingo Night on Friday at 8p.m., drinks and snacks will be provided for those in attendance. Be sure to register here, as space is limited.
If you and your family are interested in getting active, the URI Family Weekend 5K is just the event for you. This walk/run is for suicide prevention awareness. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. on the URI Quad, and the race will begin at 8:30 a.m. This is open to everyone; feel free to walk or run in support of suicide prevention. Registration can be accessed through this link.
Campus Rec provides students with various opportunities to get active on campus. Not only are these opportunities available for students, but their families too. Be sure to check out the Anna Fascetelli Fitness and Wellness Center for group exercise classes, all classes and registration can be found on this website. One of our most scenic facilities during the fall is the Bike Path. Take a family walk and explore Peckham Farms in the beautiful fall foliage. If you are interested in hitting the gym with your family, guest passes for Mackal Field House and Anna Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness Center can be accessed through this link.
In addition to shows and family fun, there are multiple athletic games to attend this weekend, kicking off with Rhody Football’s home game against Bryant University. The game is on Saturday at 1p.m. in our very own Meade Stadium. While the game is sold out, there are still tickets available for the Tailgate in Plains Lot, along with a viewing party in the Brookside lobby right across from Meade Stadium.
Before the game, Campus Rec puts on activities for the students and their families. With lawn games, photo booths, and more, Plains Lot is full of families engaging in the festivities before kickoff. Beginning at 9:30a.m., the parking lot will be full of food trucks, families barbecuing, games, craft stations, and more. To partake in the fun, purchase your tickets for the Tailgate here. Following the game, there will be a postgame party in the Brookside lobby. Rhody Men’s Soccer also has a game on Saturday at 7p.m., the team will take on VCU at their home field. The following day, Rhody Women’s soccer will take on Dayton at 12:30p.m. on their home field. Be sure to show some support for our Rhody Soccer program. Good luck to all of our athletes this weekend!
If you’re looking for a good laugh, Jon Stewart will be putting on a comedy show at the Ryan Center. Doors open at 6:30p.m., and the show begins at 8:30p.m., the performance welcomes those who are above the age of 16. Get tickets here.
Off-Campus Activities
While there are plenty of on-campus activities to attend, there are also several events and attractions to explore in the area surrounding URI. Beginning at Narragansett Beach, the town makes scarecrows and puts them around Ocean Road for the townspeople to look at! The beach is not far from campus and makes for a perfect walk, especially during the fall with all of the beautiful foliage.
On your way to the beach, stop by The Farmers Daughter in South Kingstown. This orchard will be hosting a Fall Harvest Festival with hayrides, scavenger hunts, corn mazes, lawn games, obstacle courses, and more. With a greenhouse, gift shop, and vegetable orchards, this is a perfect and scenic way to enjoy the fall and spend time with family. For more information about the Fall Harvest Festival, check out their website here. For some other fall fun, take the ride up to Providence to enjoy the Roger Williams Park Zoo’s incredible Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular. For information and tickets, check out this link.
Aside from fall activities, there are several amazing restaurants to choose from while visiting URI. Just a few minutes from campus is Mews Tavern. With a wide variety of food, Mews is one of the most popular restaurants for the Rams and South Kingstown locals. Boon Street Market is also a great place to eat, watch football, and enjoy family time. With outdoor seating, firepits, and a wide array of food to choose from, Boon Street Market is always active and a great way to spend some time with family and friends. Other restaurants, such as Crazy Burger and The Bike Shop, are close by to Boon Street Market which is located near the Narragansett Pier. Go for a walk along the pier and check out all of the cuisine.
With various activities to partake in, the main focus of this weekend is to enjoy time spent with family in this season of togetherness. The Campus Rec mission enhances belonging and community, which is what this weekend is all about. We are so excited to host the families of our students and share some school spirit this weekend. To view the entire list of on-campus and off-campus activities, click here. We can’t wait to see the Rams and their fams!
By Erin Mullaney
Major: Political Science and Criminal Justice
Graduating May 2026