Not even rain clouds could dampen Centennial spirits as students, their families, faculty and staff enjoyed Family Weekend festivities–the official wrap to Centennial Week.

The weekend started Friday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. when families registered in the Fireplace Lounge and received welcome packets that contained a schedule of the weekend’s events. At 8 p.m., actors from Improv Asylum, an improvisation group from Boston performed in the Latour Room.

Even though dark clouds loomed over the Art Field Sat. morning, the drizzle did not stop families and students from having fun at the Fall Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attractions included a baseball tent, a bounce castle, Big Chair Photos, a harness trampoline, face painting, balloon artists, caricature painting, a strength bell, a coloring station, free food under tents, a cheerleading raffle table, and a mural of Marywood University.

Alum Stanley Kania III, two-time graduate in 2000 and 2014 for a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in management, respectively, is the Second Vice President of the Marywood Alumni Association and attended Family Weekend to help sell Centennial Calendars.

“I am here because Marywood supported me throughout my entire academic career,” said Kania. “It’s fantastic for the families to come on campus and experience the same things their students do. It is rewarding to see that my work as a Marywood volunteer is paying off.”

Cheerleading coach Cheryl Mitchell was excited to be with her team.

“We’re doing the raffle for new equipment for the team,” she said. “It is a wonderful time, and we are enjoying the weekend.”

Saturday’s event also featured a mural painted by Marywood’s Class of 2015 alumna Alexis R. Joyce, art education major. She created the mural of the arch of the Blessed Mother in two weeks.

All those who participated in the weekend’s festivities were allowed to dip their fingers in paint and put their fingerprints on the tree leaves in the mural. “I like that it’s not my artwork: it’s everyone’s artwork now,” said Joyce.

Family weekend was also filled with sporting events including Women’s Soccer games, a Women’s Tennis game, a Dance Team performance in Latour and a Women’s Alumnae Soccer game on Sat.

The weekend began to wind down following Saturday’s evening liturgy that took place in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. Following the Liturgy, Bingo took place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Latour Room.

The prizes varied from gift cards to various pieces of technology, including a smart pedometer, an iPhone printer and a Bluetooth speaker worth $300.

“It was fun,” said Kim Zimmer, a senior early childhood special education major. “Bingo is fun at Marywood.”

Families found time between the packed schedule of activities to enjoy Marywood’s campus.

Lillian Alford, a freshman special education major, showed her family around Marywood’s new Morgan Memorial Garden. Her grandmother Rosemary Shenan very much enjoyed the campus.

“There is totally unexpected, unbelievable beauty here,” said Shenan. “This is my first time here and it is absolutely beautiful. The whole atmosphere is welcoming.”

Contact the writer: [email protected]du