Ohio University’s Moms Weekend led to packed streets, with moms traveling to spend time with their Bobcats from Friday to Sunday.
Moms could be seen relaxing on Greek house porches, wearing matching T-shirts or sipping a drink on Court Street. Attractions such as the Athens Farmers Market and International Street Fair were also open for attendees.
The International Street Fair was on the corner of East Union Street and South College Street, and a crowd of people could be seen dancing and enjoying the food and culture around them. Mothers and their kids could get matching henna tattoos at the fair and walk through the street.
Events from both OU and local businesses were popular, and many students took the time to bring their mothers to their favorite places throughout campus. Ava Delfre, a freshman studying business, took her mother, Michele, to Nelson Hall, where she ate for free, and to Court Street Coffee.
Ava Delfre said the timing of Mom’s Weekend was nice, as it occurs at the end of the year and is a good time to spend time with her mother, especially since she has not had the chance to travel home.
“All my friends' moms were coming, and I hadn’t been home in a while,” Ava Delfre said. “So it’s just a homesick feeling, so I think her being here makes it better.”
Ava and Michele Delfre were also holding matching flower bouquets, which they assembled at Baker University Center. They mentioned how they wanted to visit The Athena Cinema and watch “Mamma Mia,” but they were not sure if they would have the time.
Michele Delfre said she and her family live in North Carolina, and she liked being able to see what her daughter eats at the dining halls and how she lives at OU. For the rest of the day, Michele Delfre said they planned on going to dinner with Ava Delfre’s roommates and their mothers, whom she was excited to meet earlier that day.
“I think it's great for the community to have all the extra people in, but also for everyone to spend time with their daughters in their own natural environment, just to see a little piece of their life,” Michele Delfre said.
Michele Delfre also enjoyed the nature surrounding OU, and said she had a whole bag of peanuts with her for the squirrels, as well as a banana for the deer. Unfortunately, she did not see any wildlife, which she said might have been because of the live music from the International Street Fair.
Jackie O’s Taproom also had live music at its Moments with Moms event from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday. The event supported Passion Works Studio and was decked in paper chains and Passion Works art pieces.
There was also a raffle at the event for a chance to take home a self-care basket, a Passion Works basket, a charcuterie basket and an OU basket. Some groups were sitting and conversing with other families while enjoying their food and pints from Jackie O’s. One of the performances was from the band Hourglass, which performed several well-loved covers and originals to keep the audience upbeat and cheerful.
Kate Tocke, a senior studying journalism and sports management, is a member of Hourglass, and described their style as “indie meets blues, meets rock, meets a little bit of everything.” Her favorite song they performed was their original “Flowers,” and mentioned their Palmer Fest show, occurring April 18th at noon, at 27 Palmer St., Unit B.
Tocke said her mother was in town for the weekend, and they were “enjoying the sunshine,” visiting the Athens Farmers Market and going shopping in the area. She said Moms Weekend is special because it allows students to introduce their friends to their mothers.
“I'm from New York, so I don’t really get to go home as much as I want to,” Tocke said. “So I'm very happy to see her, and we’ve been hanging out. It's my last one, so it’s a little bittersweet, but I'm having a really good time so far.”
Several other events rounded out Mom’s Weekend. On Sunday, Baker Center hosted a Brunch and Bouquets from 10 a.m. to noon in the Baker Ballroom, which was free for all who were interested in celebrating their mother alongside flowers and food. Outdoor Pursuits hosted a Moms Weekend Zip-Lining event at the Ridges, Saturday and Sunday, requiring a $20 registration fee before a 1,000-foot ride.
