As parents descend on Athens this weekend, Ohio University is holding numerous events to entertain students and their elders — if they signed up ahead of time.
Outdoor Pursuits is putting on a Stargazing and Campfire event both Friday and Saturday nights. The events are both sold out. Those who have already signed up will not only gaze at constellations through a telescope, but will hear tales of The Ridges.
The Ridges were once a large mental health facility in Athens. The university now owns the facility, but the old insane asylum is known worldwide as one of the most haunted spots in the nation.
The organization is also holding a Parents Weekend Zipline Adventure all day Saturday, which is also sold out. The event will also take place at The Ridges and feature a 300 ft. zipline. All equipment and optional transportation is provided in the price.
The Ohio University Golf Course is hosting a nine-hole golf outing on Sunday morning. There will be food and prizes available and golfers will be separated into groups of two or four.
OU’s University Program Council is putting on a brunch event Saturday morning. However, that event is sold out as well.
“Every year it kind of fluctuates,” said Matt Thomson, coordinator for Campus Programs. The event, which is a yearly undertaking, usually sells out. He said the cap for attendance is 300 people, which according to Thomson, was met a few days ago.
“This year the one thing that they really did different (was the addition of another time),” said Thomson. “There used to be two different seatings, they just combined them into one to make it easier,” he said.
Thomson said in the past there were about 300 people, so this year the number will remain the same, just not as spread out as before. This is an attempt to move toward more of a brunch-style meal, said Thomson. There will also be different types of food, not just breakfast foods.
Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi will be speaking at the event. OU Improv will be performing in addition to an acoustic performance by Ben Leeson. A photo booth will also be available for use.
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