Fresno State will be hosting their second annual Parent and Alumni Weekend (P.A.W) this Saturday and Sunday.
The Fresno State Alumni Association have partnered with the Parents Association to put on the event.
Last year, the event was known as Family Weekend. It welcomes alumni back to Fresno State as well as current students and their parents.
Golden grads, which are alumni that have graduated 50 years ago, have also been invited.
Jennifer Stemwedel, assistant for student affairs development and the Parent Association, said attendees last year gained a personal experience and a nice connection to the campus.
“They felt like they were more likely to tailgate on their own or come to another football game or just feel comfortable visiting,” Stemwedel said.
Tickets for the event have sold out.
In addition to those events, tickets for a tailgate and for the football game of Fresno State versus San Diego State were on sale for $20. The football tickets were a hot item and approximately 300 were sold. Roughly 200 are expected to join in on the tailgate.
Saturday begins the two-day event with a welcoming breakfast followed by campus tours, lunch and more touring of Fresno State’s facilities. For an additional fee, attendees will attend the P.A.W. Tailgate at Bulldog Diamond before kickoff at 7 p.m. for the football game against San Diego State. The tailgate party will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Parents, students and alumni will have the chance to tour Fresno State Winery, Save Mart Center, University Theatre, University Police Department, Student Recreation Center, Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market and athletic facilities. But these tours won’t be a typical kind of tour, Stemwedel said. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes experience and get to meet the people who run the show.
Sunday morning welcomes participating guests with a breakfast in the Smittcamp Alumni House. Attendees will have the opportunity to have lunch with Fresno State coaches. Timeout and the Fresno State cheerleaders will also be out taking photos.
The Parents Association plans to put on this event every year and hopes that those who attend will enjoy themselves.