A Note About Registration
Please know that online advanced registration is not required to visit your student on campus. On-campus registration for events is part of the schedule viewable below.
Family Weekend History
Dating back to 1973, when Marietta College conducted its first Family Day, students have welcomed family members to campus for a different themed event each fall. In the first year, 130 families of freshmen came to campus to meet faculty, tour the campus, have lunch in Gilman Dining Hall, and attend a student talent show.
In 1980, the event was moved to the spring to allow families to attend a baseball game, however, rain-soaked most of the outdoor events and moved everyone inside. It was moved back to the fall shortly after.
Today, Marietta students invite their family members to campus for a weekend of activities in the fall that usually include movies, athletic events, and tours of campus and the city.
Family Weekend 2024
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Registration
Andrews Hall
Pick up your gift and a schedule, and find out what’s happening this weekend! Friday's registration will also include a kettle corn stall, a photo booth, a petting zoo, and caricature artist J.D. Williamson.
6:00 p.m.
"Supermassive Black Holes: Uncovering the Invisible"
Anderson Hancock Planetarium
This free, full-dome showing of "Supermassive Black Holes" will be featured during Family Weekend.
About the show
In April 2019, scientists revealed the first image of a black hole from Event Horizon Telescope observations of the center of galaxy M87. This planetarium show presents the environments of black holes impressively and understandably. It gives the viewer a glimpse of the collaboration of experts in multiple fields as they work together to shed light on the physics of black hole formation in the context of galaxy evolution.
This show includes a live presentation about the current night sky, followed by the full-dome planetarium video and a Q&A period. Please note that seating for all public shows is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Registration
Andrews Hall
Pick up your gift and a schedule, and find out what’s happening this weekend!
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 P.M.
River City Farmers Market
200 Butler Street
Find a wide variety of local produce and handmade items just three blocks from campus.
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Greek Open Houses
Greek Housing
1:30 p.m.
Football, Marietta vs. Otterbein
Don Drumm Stadium
4:00 P.M., 5:15 P.M. & 6:30 P.M.
Mesmerica
Anderson Hancock Planetarium
About the show
James Hood's MESMERICA is a groundbreaking immersive audio-visual experience, exhibiting in planetariums and dome venues across the US and Canada. Combining James Hood's music with carefully curated 3D animations from artists around the world, the award-winning show is an enormous hit with both audiences and planetarium operators alike, breaking all existing records for full-dome/planetarium music shows. The hour-long show features 360° projections and stunning 7.1 surround sound.
4:30 P.M.
Men's Soccer vs. Carnegie Mellon
Marietta Field
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN MARIETTA
Campus Martius Museum
Friday, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Noon–5:00 p.m.
601 Second Street
Explore the museum and learn about Campus Martius, a civilian stockade built in 1788 as the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory. See the Ohio Company Land Office, reportedly the oldest building in Ohio, and the Rufus Putnam House, once part of the Campus Martius stockade. Exhibits trace the early settlement of Ohio, as well as later migrations of rural Ohioans to cities and industrial centers. Average visit time: Allow 1+ hours
the castle Museum
Friday, 10:0 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
418 Fourth Street
The Castle invites you to discover the history of Marietta and its role in shaping the story of a nation.
The Valley Gem Sternwheeler, Renaissance Cruise
Friday, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
601 Front Street
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Spend an evening traveling back in time on the Valley Gem with our Renaissance Cruises. In the age of Lords, Ladies, Court Jesters, and Knights, guests will enjoy a rustic buffet fit for an entire kingdom. After the meal, members of The Company will perform songs, sonnets and will lead passengers through a traditional dance. Reservations are required.
hidden marietta
todd oliver's "The Funniest night of your life"
Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam Street
Have you ever met a talking dog?
Get ready because you are about to meet America’s funniest canine, and his name is “Irving”! Together with his partner, comedian/ventriloquist Todd Oliver, the duo have been featured on The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman, and recently were a top 4 finalist on America’s Got Talent. Family friendly fun and audience participation make Todd and Irving a top draw in major entertainment venues across America!
The major|riviera passenger barge-passenger vessel, narrated sightseeing tour
Friday, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
601 Front Street
Throughout the narrated tour, passengers will learn history from the rivers' perspective and discover how Marietta was founded. Our Portside Cafe' located on the lower level of the boat, offers lunch options as well as snacks, treats, and drinks available for purchase.