After working hard all year to make Family Weekend a success, Family Weekend 2001 committee members are hoping the events of Sept. 28-30 will truly “Blaze a Trail of Cyclone Traditions.”

“We think that this is a great opportunity for families to visit students, and for parents to get more involved with Iowa State,” said Angie Guggisberg, executive assistant for the Family Weekend 2001committee.

“It’s also a good way for younger siblings to get an idea of what Iowa State is all about,” said Guggisberg, sophomore in construction engineering.

The big “kick-off” event is hypnotist Steve Meade, Guggisberg said.

The event begins 8 p.m. Friday in Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Cost is $5, and $4 for Student Alumni Association members.

Joe Lichty, committee chairman and senior in agricultural systems technology, said walk-ins are welcome to attend.

The committee is also hosting a tailgate at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Beach and 4th Streets. Cost is $8.25 per person and $4 for children under 12, and includes a meal.

Amber Hoyt, special events co-chair for the committee, said while walk-ins are not allowed, pre-registration is still an option.

“There will be stickers, tattoos, fight squads, the cheer squad – it will be a really awesome time,” said Hoyt, junior in animal science.

About 500 people have already registered, said Scott Raymond, adviser of the committee.

“Including the people who have pre-registered – the committee members, workers and Iowa State parents’ association members – we’re tentatively planning on about 730 people for the tailgate,” said Raymond, graduate student in health and human performance.

Guggisberg said the tailgate will be a good way to get ready for the game.

“This will be a great experience for everyone – especially for those who normally don’t tailgate,” she said.

The tailgate is improved and better than ever, Hoyt said.

“We’ve revamped it entirely this year,” she said. “This year we have a tent instead of [the tailgate] being held in Scheman, so there will be the real tailgate feel.”

Another option for students and their families this weekend is a visit to the Brunnier Art Museum and Farm House Museum on Friday and Sunday.

Brunnier, located on the second floor of the Scheman Building in the Iowa State Center, features a decorative arts collection and is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Farm House Museum, Iowa State’s first building, is located on Knoll Road on campus. It will be open noon to 4 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free for both museums.

On Saturday, each undergraduate college will hold receptions prior to the football game. Complete listings are available by calling 294-8488.

For those who want to experience sports, the ISU hockey team will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday against Life University at the ISU Ice Arena, located south of Towers Residence Halls.

ISU Women’s soccer and volleyball both play on Sunday. The soccer team takes on Baylor at 1 p.m. on the ISU soccer field, and the volleyball team plays Texas A&M at 2 p.m. in Hilton.

Sunday brunch will be available for students and their families Sunday in the dormitories. Oak-Elm and Knapp-Storms dormitories will serve from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Friley and Maple-Willow-Larch will serve from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Students with meal plans can bring two family members to the brunch, free of charge. Otherwise, the cost is $7 per person.

Iowa State’s Family of the Year will be honored at events throughout the weekend. Selected through an application and interview process, the family is the guests of honor, Guggisberg said.

The final major event, committee members said, is the Casino/Family Fun Night from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the Great Hall in the Memorial Union.

Cost is $5, and $4 for SAA members. The games available include blackjack, poker, electronic basketball and miniature golf.

Lichty said celebrity dealers such as President Gregory Geoffroy and Cy will be present.

Many prizes will be available, Guggisberg said.

“There are some really cool prizes,” she said.

Committee members strongly encourage everyone, even those without family here this weekend, to attend the events.

“It’ll be a great time, and you get to meet a lot of people,” Hoyt said.

“This is an awesome, alternative way to have fun.”