WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks alumni and family members of students are invited to the college’s 2024 Family and Homecoming Weekend, set for Friday, Oct. 18, to Sunday, Oct. 20. This year’s theme is "Let’s Level Up – Powered by Pixels, Fueled by Fun."
The weekend will include activities for the entire family, as well as events specifically for students and families and for alumni. Most events are free and open to all attendees unless otherwise noted, but many require advance registration by Oct. 11.
Prospective students are also invited to register for Penn State Day, Berks' largest admissions event of the year, on Saturday, Oct. 19, and then they are invited to stay after the program for the Family and Homecoming Weekend festivities. (Prospective students and families will be asked to confirm their attendance for lunch after registering for the event and receive meal tickets the morning of Penn State Day.)
FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Pixels Outdoor Family-Friendly Movie Night
7– 9 p.m., Perkins Lawn (rain location – Perkins Student Center Auditorium)
Open to all groups. Advance registration required.
Attendees will enjoy an evening under the stars at the Pixels Outdoor Movie Night, which will be projected on a giant inflatable screen. Attendees are encouraged to grab their favorite blanket or lawn chair and settle in for a night of family-friendly fun. Popcorn, drinks and candy wil be provided. Movie synopsis: When aliens intercept video feeds of classic arcade games and misinterpret them as a declaration of war, they attack Earth, using the games as models.
Black Light Mini Golf
7-9:30 p.m.
Perkins Lawn
Open to all groups
A nine-hole black light mini golf course combines traditional mini golf with a glowing, high-energy environment, offering a night of fun for the whole family.
SATURDAY, OCT. 19
Penn State Day
9-11:30 a.m.
Perkins Student Center
Admissions program for prospective students and their families.
Legacy Breakfast
9 – 10 a.m.
Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building, Room 246
Open to alumni parents of students currently attending Penn State Berks. Advance registration required.
Celebrate your Penn State legacy together while enjoying a buffet breakfast.
Homecoming Check-In
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
G1 Parking Lot
Attendees will check in at the registration tents to receive a copy of the schedule, a picnic lunch ticket (picnic registration required by Oct. 11), and a free Homecoming favor, available while supplies last.
Parent & Family Chat
10-11 a.m.
Perkins Student Center, Room 3
Open to parents and families of current students.
Parents and families of new and returning students will have an opportunity to meet with college staff and discuss any questions or concerns they may have. Attendees will also hear about campus updates and other Penn State Berks news.
Free Attractions
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Perkins Lawn and Perkins Plaza
Open to all groups
The campus will feature inflatables, various games and other attractions such as laser tag, Wii Sports, a photo booth, airbrush tattoos and more that will provide fun for the entire family.
Picnic
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Perkins Lawn Tent
Open to all groups. Advance registration required.
Penn State Berks students, alumni, employees and their families are invited to attend a free picnic under the tent. Due to space limitations, the maximum number of guests per party is five. (Current Berks students should be included in the party total when registering.) This is an opportunity for parents, students, faculty, staff and alumni to come together, enjoy good food, and connect in a casual and fun setting. The picnic is free and donations are requested for the Nittany Corner, the college’s food pantry (suggested items can be found on the bottom of the registration page).
Alumni Welcome Tent
12:30-2 p.m.
Perkins Lawn
Open to alumni. Advance registration required.
Penn State alumni are invited to our Retro Gaming Tent to play a variety of iconic games and arcade classics from the ’80s and ’90s. Alumni who are not gamers will enjoy mingling with faculty, staff and fellow alumni, sharing favorite memories, taking a family photo with the Nittany Lion in our bubble house and customizing their own Penn State friendship bracelet.
The Ultimate Saturday Sundae
12:30-2 p.m.
Perkins Lawn
Open to all groups
Attendees will enjoy free Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream with a variety of toppings under the alumni tent. All are invited to indulge their sweet tooth and unleash their creativity at the sundae bar.
Women’s Volleyball
1 p.m.
Beaver Athletic and Wellness Center Gymnasium
Open to all groups
The Penn State Berks women’s volleyball team will take on Penn State Harrisburg.