Welcome to Family Weekend 2024!
We look forward to hosting Samford families and friends on campus September 20-22, 2024, for the 60th anniversary of Family Weekend at Samford University! Registration closed on September 13, so we could submit catering orders.
Make your hotel reservation today. Several area hotels offer rooms at a discounted rate for Samford families.
Hotels
Download Samford Family Weekend 2024 on the Guidebook app or Samford Guides app.
Friday, September 20
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Samford Abroad Fair, Ben Brown Plaza
11 a.m. Dedication and Ribbon Cutting, Campus Recreation, Wellness, and Athletic Complex
12-8 p.m. Open House and Self-Guided Tours, Campus Recreation, Wellness, and Athletic Complex
12-5 p.m. Samford Serves Family Service Project, Harry’s Coffeehouse (Food Court area)
Come alongside other families as Samford serves together to make a difference! Stop in with your family for a forty-five-minute shift (minimum) or longer to help pack over 32,000 meals. Your service will provide essential nutrition to vulnerable communities, helping to combat malnutrition and hunger in Ecuador. Register in advance HERE or plan to drop in when you are available.
12-6 p.m. Meal Wristband Pickup & Information Table, University Center Lobby
1-4 p.m. Guided Tours, Hodges Chapel
Experience the beauty of Hodges Chapel, where every detail is designed to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. No registration necessary. Drop in as your schedule allows.
2 p.m. Sibling Tour (limited to 50 siblings).
Pre-registration is required and will open mid-late August.
3-4:30 p.m. Pops with the Prez, Brewer Plaza
Join President and Mrs. Taylor for family pictures, live music by Queen City Avenue, and popsicles for the first 1200 guests.
3:30-5:30 p.m. Wild Honey Flower Truck, Ben Brown Plaza
Visit this pop-up flower shop on wheels to build your own bouquet and enjoy the experience with your student.
4-5 p.m. Planetarium 1st Show, Christenberry Planetarium
Seats are first come, first serve for this “back by popular demand” show.
5-8 p.m. Little Donkey Taco Dinner on the Quad, Parents Association Tent
Enjoy dinner under the stars at the large Parents Association tent on the Quad. This “Mexican dinner with a southern soul” will be catered by local favorite, Little Donkey. Please note: Students WILL need a pre-purchased wristband for this meal
Those with red wristbands may drop in anytime between 5 and 8 p.m. to enjoy this Dinner on the Quad. Wristbands must be pre-purchased through registration and may be picked up at the Check In table in the University Center.
5-8 p.m. Crumbl Cookies, Quad
Crumbl Cookies will be available for purchase, next to the Little Donkey tent. Be sure to drop by to satisfy your cookie craving!
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Vespers Service, Reid Chapel
Join Samford families as we worship together, led by A Capella Choir and University Chorale.
7-8 p.m. Planetarium 2nd Show, Christenberry Planetarium
Seats are first come, first serve for this “back by popular demand” show.
Saturday, September 21
All Day College Football Games, streaming on screens in the University Center, The Caf, and Parent Commons
7:30 a.m. Family Prayer Walk, Mr. Beeson’s Statue
8:15 a.m. SOAC Family Worship Service, Parents Association Tent
Meet at the Parents Association tent on the Quad, as students from Samford Outdoor Adventure Club lead us in worship to start the day. No registration required.
8:30-10:30 a.m. Meal Ticket Pickup and Information Table, University Center Lobby
9-10:30 a.m. Parents Association Breakfast, The Caf
Join other Samford parents for the Samford Parents Association breakfast. This meeting is for parents only. Hear from President Taylor and cast your vote to help fund a campus initiative. Please note: seating is limited, and a pre-purchased wristband is required for entry.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Choose Your Own Adventure:
- Greek Life Open Houses and/or
- Campus Recreation Self-Guided Tours and/or
- Free Time with your Student
Visit the Birmingham Resources list for local entertainment venues, outdoor activities, museums, and more
3-6 p.m. Meal Ticket Pickup and Information Table, University Center Lobby
4-6:30 p.m. Party on the Quad
- State Family Tents (find details here), East Quad
- Student Organization and Greek Life Tents, Ben Brown Plaza and West Quad
- School and Department Tents, Brewer Plaza
- Games, Brewer Plaza
4:30-6:30 p.m. Scavenger Hunt, Orlean Beeson School of Education Tent on Brewer Plaza
It's a family affair at the Orlean Beeson School of Education tent on Brewer Plaza! Drop by to say hello to Dean Anna McEwan and participate in the Samford Scavenger Hunt for the chance to win Step Sing tickets! Winner announced at the Main Stage during the concert at 7:30!
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Jim ‘n’ Nicks Barbecue, Parents Association Tent
Those will silver wristbands may drop in anytime between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. to enjoy Dinner on the Quad, sponsored by the Parents Association. Wristbands must be pre-purchased through registration and may be picked up at the Check In table or Information table in the University Center.
4-6:30 p.m. Howard College of Arts and Sciences Tent on Brewer Plaza
Join us at the Howard College of Arts and Sciences tent in Brewer Plaza! Meet Dean Dawn McCormack and engage with interactive experiences including ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic, Greek and Hebrew writing, plus a chance to see drones in action. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and explore!
4-6:30 p.m. School of the Arts Tent on Brewer Plaza
Stop by the School of the Arts tent for a sweet treat and some fun swag! We will be handing out fresh cookies, stylish School of the Arts fanny packs and koozies while one of our talented art students makes balloon art! We hope to see you there!
5-5:30 p.m. Highlight of Samford University Cheerleaders, Marching Band, Majorettes, and Dance Team, West Quad
5-8 p.m . Popcorn and Ice Cream, Ben Brown Plaza
Naughty But Nice Popcorn and Bendy’s Cookies and Cream will be available for purchase.
6:30 p.m. Pre-Concert: Lakeshore Band, West Quad stage
7:30 p.m. Family Concert: Black Jacket Symphony, West Quad stage
Our students recommended this tribute band to celebrate our 60th anniversary of Family Weekend at Samford. We don’t want families to miss the “Best of” performance, including top hits from Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Pearl Jam, Journey, Tom Petty, The Beatles, Allman Brothers Band, and more!
9:00 p.m. Fireworks, Quad
Watch from the Quad as fireworks are launched from Sherman Circle near the main gates.
Sunday, September 22
Worship with your student at a local church.
2 p.m. Hymn Sing, Reid Chapel
2 p.m. Moffett and Sanders School of Nursing White Coat Ceremony, Wright Center
