Asbury’s Family Weekend Celebrates Community

October 7, 2019

As midterm exams loom in students’ minds, an energetic weekend with family and friends is just what the campus needed to revitalize its spirits. Asbury University’s annual Family Weekend brought fun and connection throughout campus through a variety of events and activities. View a photo gallery below!

The week began with Sibling Invasion, where current students hosted their high school-aged siblings and introduced them to Asbury’s community. The preview event is helpful in creating a connection with these prospective students and gives them a glimpse into what their brothers and sisters are up to while they’re away.

On Friday, all families were invited to Family Bash, a party out on Reasoner Green complete with massive inflatables, food and music. The Bash was a place for students to take a break and celebrate with those they love.

Hannah Becht ’21, vice president of Student Activities, said that she wanted to provide students with a memorable event where they could spend time with their families.

“In the past, there haven’t been very many events for families to actually go to during Family Weekend, so my hope is that it brought people together,” Becht said.

The event, which was put on by the Asbury Student Congress (ASC), featured a dunk tank (with University staff to soak), cotton candy, face painting, a taco truck and volleyball.

Becht said she didn’t know what to expect for the event but planned on several hundred students and parents arriving.

“We wanted it to be for anyone and everyone on campus,” Becht said. “And who wouldn’t want free tacos and an opportunity to dunk some AU staff?” 

Free tacos weren’t the only foodie-favorite part of this weekend, though. On Saturday, Asbury University’s famous Goat Roast was held with massive success.

The annual roast, which has been running for the last 15 years, is hosted by James Ballard, the Director of WGM Student Center. He said he got the idea from a past student of his, who introduced him to the Kenyan tradition of the goat roast as a celebration.

“There is a lot to do and eat for free like goat stew, fire-roasted goat meat, a Maasai photo booth, live music, yard games, volleyball, water and Kenyan coffee,” said Ballard.

The event is also a showcase of the University’s community as a whole. Asbury Seminary student and rap musician AJ Robinson performed at the Goat Roast, and over 500 students, family, faculty, staff and Wilmore locals attended.

Family Weekend at Asbury University is more than a dedicated check-in date for parents and their kids. It’s a time to reconnect and encourage one another to finish the second half of the semester strong. With midterms and fall break around the corner, it’s all too easy for students to get caught up in the scramble of the day-to-day.

The events of Family Weekend provide a much needed sabbath from the stress of classwork and projects, and a wonderful chance for the families of students to catch a glimpse into the world of Asbury University.

by Cooper Boss ’22