Wondering to do with your mom this weekend? Check out our preview of the plethora of events taking place for Moms Weekend.
April showers will not only bring May flowers in Athens, but also an invasion of moms.
Organizers and students have been planning ahead for Ohio University’s Moms Weekend, which will begin Friday. There are many activities set to take place, hosted by both local businesses and campus organizations.
Lily Bradley, a freshman studying journalism, said she already has plans for her and her grandmother.
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“It’ll be fun to be out on the town with (her),” Bradley said. “She’s a big baseball fan so I think we’ll go see a game.”
Bradley also mentioned that her “adventurous” grandmother, 68, might even be up for the challenge of a 300-foot zip line set up at The Ridges Challenge Course. Tickets are available through Campus Recreation for $25.
Outdoor Pursuits will also host an outdoor event, where students and moms can stargaze, roast marshmallows and swap stories about The Ridges.
For those who prefer food to thrills, local Athens restaurants have donated to an event called Chocolate Fest to take place in Baker University Center on Saturday, which will benefit the Blueline Booster Club, a non-profit organization that supports the Division I and II OU hockey team. Six local vendors will compete for the first time to see who can create the best chocolate delicacy. Three moms of members of the team will judge.
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“It’s really blown up into a big thing. We already have people asking if we’ll be doing it again next year,” said Jason Szostek, a junior studying outdoor recreation and education who helped organize the event.
After the Chocolate Fest, a painting and wine tasting event will start at 5 p.m. in the same room.
Karly Heinzelman, a freshman studying marketing, said she’s looking forward to showcasing Athens’ food scene.
“I’m most excited to show my mom around campus and take them to the local food places like Bagel Street Deli,” Heinzelman said.
Nick Kairys, a freshman studying journalism, said his mom is a Moms Weekend veteran.
“My mom and sister are coming down. They’ve both experienced Moms Weekend and I hear its pretty crazy so I’m excited to see how wild Court St. is,” Kairys said.
Kairys is a current Post reporter.
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Other events include bowling at the Roller Bowl, proceeds from which will go to the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Athens, which works with 350 local children. Tracy Kelly, executive director of the organization, noted that most of the children live at or below the poverty line and that 11 percent of the children have at least one parent incarcerated.
“The children we work with face a lot of adversity, and we provide increased support through an adult they can rely on,” said Kelly.
Kelly noted that most of the children live at or below the poverty line and that 11 percent of the children have at least one parent incarcerated.
“We see a lot of suffering from poverty and insecurity which puts the kids at a disadvantage. It isn’t about money for us, it’s about spending time with the children,” Kelly said.
Szostek said he loves how many events go on during Moms Weekend.
“It always gets interesting,” Szostek said.
@AustinERickson
